In a powerful display of national unity, thousands of Greenlanders took to the icy streets of their capital on Saturday to protest against former US President Donald Trump's renewed threats to assume control of the vast, mineral-rich island.
A Historic Gathering in the Arctic Capital
The protest, described by locals as the largest in the island's history, saw a significant portion of Nuuk's population march from the city centre to the US consulate. Participants braved the snow and ice, waving Greenlandic flags and holding signs with the defiant message: "Greenland is not for sale."
Among the crowd was Greenland's Prime Minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, who stood in solidarity with his countrymen. The demonstration drew nearly a quarter of Nuuk's residents, a remarkable turnout for the small Arctic capital.
The timing of the protest was starkly underscored when news broke that Trump had announced a 10% tariff on eight European countries, a move widely interpreted as retaliation for opposition to his ambitions for Greenland. The announcement came just as marchers reached the consulate gates.
Voices from the March: From Children to Leaders
The rally attracted Greenlanders of all ages, united in their desire to protect their autonomy and culture. Marie Pedersen, 47, brought her children to teach them the importance of speaking up. Her nine-year-old daughter, Alaska, crafted her own protest sign, having discussed the geopolitical situation with her teachers.
"They tell us how to stand up if you're being bullied by another country or something," the young girl explained.
Malik Dollerup-Scheibel, a 21-year-old participant, expressed his dismay at the tariff news: "I thought this day couldn't get any worse, but it just did. It just shows he has no remorse for any kind of human being now."
Former parliament member Tillie Martinussen criticised the shift in American rhetoric, stating, "They started out touting themselves as our friends and allies... And now they're just plain threatening us." She framed the struggle as a broader fight for Nato and the principles of the post-war world.
Solidarity Across the Danish Realm and Beyond
The protest in Nuuk was not an isolated event. Rallies and solidarity marches were held across the Danish realm, including in Copenhagen. Danish protester Elise Riechie highlighted the global significance, holding both Danish and Greenlandic flags as she declared, "There are many small countries. None of them are for sale."
Support also came from the Inuit-governed territory of Nunavut in Canada's far north, emphasising the cultural and indigenous dimensions of the dispute.
For many, the message was directed not just at Trump, but at the American people. Louise Lennert Olsen, a 40-year-old nurse marching in Nuuk, expressed her hope: "I would really like them to support our wish to be Greenland as we are now. I hope they will stand against their own president."
As Nuuk police officer Tom Olsen surveyed the unprecedented crowd, he voiced a sentiment shared by many: "I hope it can show him that we stand together in Europe. We are not going down without a fight." The historic march served as a clear, frozen rebuttal to any notion that the island's future is a commodity for transaction.
