People filled the streets of Copenhagen and Aarhus this weekend with signs saying Denmark should keep control of Greenland. They came together because U.S. Vice President JD Vance had just visited Pituffik Space Base the day before. During his trip, Vance blasted Denmark for failing at Arctic safety and not helping Greenlandic citizens enough. The angry crowds wanted to send a clear message that Americans should back off.
Mogens Lykketoft stood before the Copenhagen crowd and fired them up with a speech. As a big name in Danish politics who once led the United Nations General Assembly and served as foreign minister, his words carried weight. He pushed for taking the issue to the UN, where most countries would slam what he called American bullying toward Greenland. He also suggested reaching out to the large number of U.S. citizens who disagree with plans to take Greenland.
The crowd roared with approval when Lykketoft declared they must keep fighting. Many yelled back in both Greenlandic and Danish that their Arctic territory could not be bought. Similar scenes played out in downtown Aarhus, where protesters gathered to defend Greenland's staying independent from American influence. Their passion showed how deeply the Danes care about protecting Greenland's rights.
Denmark once ruled Greenland as a colony until officially making it part of its kingdom in 1953. The cold northern land gained partial freedom to make its decisions in 1979. Despite these changes, Danish officials still handle military matters and relations with other countries. Protesters worry that recent American actions threaten this careful balance of power that Greenland and Denmark have worked hard to create.
Mogens Lykketoft stood before the Copenhagen crowd and fired them up with a speech. As a big name in Danish politics who once led the United Nations General Assembly and served as foreign minister, his words carried weight. He pushed for taking the issue to the UN, where most countries would slam what he called American bullying toward Greenland. He also suggested reaching out to the large number of U.S. citizens who disagree with plans to take Greenland.
The crowd roared with approval when Lykketoft declared they must keep fighting. Many yelled back in both Greenlandic and Danish that their Arctic territory could not be bought. Similar scenes played out in downtown Aarhus, where protesters gathered to defend Greenland's staying independent from American influence. Their passion showed how deeply the Danes care about protecting Greenland's rights.
Denmark once ruled Greenland as a colony until officially making it part of its kingdom in 1953. The cold northern land gained partial freedom to make its decisions in 1979. Despite these changes, Danish officials still handle military matters and relations with other countries. Protesters worry that recent American actions threaten this careful balance of power that Greenland and Denmark have worked hard to create.
