For the past three weeks, Denmark has been consumed by discussions about whether Greenland, a largely self-governing part of the Danish kingdom, will be invaded by the US, its closest ally. The threat from US President Donald Trump has galvanised the Danish population against him, while also easing tensions between Denmark and Greenland.
“We got a wake-up call,” said Linea Obbekjær, 64, a Copenhagen resident. “So we are thinking about what is important to us.” Many have been spurred to action, with thousands taking to the streets of Copenhagen last weekend in protest, waving Greenlandic and Danish flags and wearing red hats bearing slogans such as “Nu det NUUK!” – a play on the Danish phrase for “now it’s enough”.
Julie Rademacher, a member of Uagut, the national organisation for Greenlandic people in Denmark, said the support from Danes, Americans and people worldwide was overwhelming. “It’s been unbelievable to experience one of our closest allies threatening to annex our country,” she said. “But it is happening and we need to fight.” She believes Trump has pushed Greenlanders away, while relations between Greenlanders and Danes are “under reparation”.
Jesper Rabe Tonnesen, creator of the protest hats, said Denmark had gone from disagreement to unity. “We feel threatened like the people from Greenland,” he said. “We can’t do anything about this without France and the greater nations.” He noted a wartime-like solidarity between Denmark, Greenland and the EU. Outside the US embassy, Tina Henriksen, a nurse who is half Greenlandic and half Danish, said the two territories “have to stand together”, adding that Danes are “opening their minds to Greenland” in a new way.
