Greenland rallies against Trump's takeover threat
Approximately a thousand Greenlanders gathered outside the US consulate in the capital city, Nuuk. The purpose of the protest was to express opposition to Donald Trump's threats regarding a potential United States takeover of the island. According to authorities, it was one of the largest demonstrations in the island’s history, which has a population of 56,000.
What do you need to know?
- Demonstration in Nuuk: In the capital of Greenland, Nuuk, about a thousand people protested outside the US consulate in response to Donald Trump's statements about a US takeover of the island.
- Political support: The outgoing Prime Minister, Mute B. Egede, and Jens-Frederik Nielsen, the victor of the last parliamentary elections, participated in the demonstration.
- Political reaction: Leaders of five parties in the Greenland parliament issued a statement condemning Trump's declarations as unacceptable.
Greenlanders have had enough of Trump
About a thousand Greenlanders gathered on Saturday outside the US consulate in Nuuk to oppose Donald Trump's claims regarding the potential US takeover of the island. The demonstrators sang the Greenlandic anthem and left flags and banners in the snow in front of the consulate building.
Key politicians from Greenland also took part in the demonstration. The outgoing Prime Minister Mute B. Egede and Jens-Frederik Nielsen, who won the last parliamentary elections, delivered brief speeches underlining the importance of the island’s sovereignty.
Strong reaction to announcements from the USA
Donald Trump's remarks were met with a strong reaction from Greenlandic politicians. Leaders of five parties in the Greenland parliament issued a joint statement expressing their outrage. "We as party leaders find this behaviour unacceptable towards friends and allies in a defence alliance," they emphasised in the statement.
Greenland, an autonomous territory under Denmark's jurisdiction, is aspiring for independence but only after achieving economic self-sufficiency. The island's authorities currently rely on grants from Copenhagen, which further complicates the political landscape.
