Hundreds of demonstrators filled the streets in Copenhagen and Aarhus on Saturday as they rallied against U.S. administration remarks made during U.S. Vice President JD Vance's visit to Pituffik Space Base in northwest Greenland. The visit stirred controversy after Vance criticized Denmark for its handling of Arctic security and the well-being of the Greenlandic people.
In Copenhagen, former foreign minister Mogens Lykketoft addressed the crowd with a fervent call for solidarity. He stressed the importance of taking the issue to the United Nations, arguing, "We must fight our case at the UN, where it is certain that an overwhelming majority of countries will join in condemning American aggression against Greenland." His words, punctuated by the rallying cry "We must never give up," were met with loud applause and chants in both Greenlandic and Danish affirming that "Greenland is not for sale."
The mood was equally determined in Aarhus, where demonstrators gathered in the city center to voice support for Greenland's autonomy and protest U.S. actions seen as interference. The demonstrations highlight long-simmering sentiments among Danes, linking Greenland's historical ties with Denmark to contemporary debates on regional security and cultural identity.
Greenland, once a Danish colony before its move towards greater self-rule since 1979, remains a focal point for discussions on self-determination and international influence. The recent protests underscore a growing passion among citizens eager to ensure that Greenland's future is safeguarded from external pressures.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
