Thousands of Greenlanders took to the streets on Saturday to protest against Donald Trump's renewed threats to acquire the island, with the prime minister joining demonstrators chanting 'Greenland is not for sale'. The protest in Nuuk, the capital, drew nearly a quarter of the city's population, making it the largest ever seen in the area, according to local police.
The march coincided with Trump's announcement of a 10% tariff on eight European countries from February, in response to opposition to US control of Greenland. The US president has repeatedly expressed a desire to purchase the strategically located and mineral-rich territory, which is a self-governing part of the Danish realm.
Malik Dollerup-Scheibel, a 21-year-old Greenlander who participated in the march, expressed dismay at the tariff threat. 'It just shows he has no remorse for any kind of human being now,' he said. Solidarity rallies were also held in Copenhagen and in Nunavut, Canada's far north.
Many protesters brought children to send a message about preserving Greenlandic culture. Marie Pedersen said it was important to show her nine-year-old daughter, Alaska, 'that they’re allowed to speak up'. The girl had made her own sign and said teachers had discussed how to stand up to bullying by another country.
Former MP Tillie Martinussen urged the Trump administration to 'abandon this crazy idea', describing the struggle as 'a fight for freedom' for NATO and the Western Hemisphere. Meanwhile, nurse Louise Lennert Olsen appealed directly to the American people, asking them to support Greenland's wish to remain as it is. 'I hope they will stand against their own president,' she said.
