Large-scale demonstrations took place on Saturday across Denmark and Greenland, organized by Greenlandic associations in response to repeated statements by US President Donald Trump about taking control of the Arctic island. The protests aimed to send what organizers described as a clear and unified signal in defense of Greenland’s democracy and basic human rights.

According to Uagut, an association representing Greenlanders living in Denmark, the demonstrations were intended to show international solidarity with Greenland and to reject any challenge to its self-governance. Speaking to the crowd in Copenhagen, Uagut chair Julie Rademacher thanked participants for their support and said Greenlanders had unwillingly become a focal point in a broader struggle over democracy and rights.

In Denmark, thousands gathered at Copenhagen’s City Hall Square at midday, chanting slogans such as “Greenland is not for sale” and holding banners reading “Hands off Greenland.” The protest later moved toward the US Embassy. Similar demonstrations were held in other major cities, including Aarhus, Aalborg and Odense.

In Greenland itself, a large rally began in the capital, Nuuk, in the late afternoon. Organizers described the protest as opposing what they called illegal US plans to take control of the territory. Several thousand people took part, among them Greenland’s prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, who joined demonstrators waving the national flag. Protesters sang traditional Inuit songs despite light rain, and many wore caps bearing the slogan “Make America Go Away,” a play on Trump’s political branding. Marchers later headed toward the US consulate, carrying Greenlandic flags. Greenland’s population is approximately 57,000.

Tensions surrounding Greenland have intensified in recent weeks as Trump has repeatedly insisted that the United States needs to take control of the island. On Friday, he warned that Washington could impose tariffs on countries opposing his plans. Greenland is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, a NATO ally of the US.

The demonstrations coincided with a visit to Denmark by a bipartisan delegation of US lawmakers, largely Democrats, who said their goal was to ease tensions amid growing disagreement between European partners and Washington over Greenland’s future. European countries have also expressed political support for Denmark and have deployed a limited military presence to Greenland in response to US rhetoric about acquiring the territory.

Trump has recently linked his interest in Greenland to national security, arguing that the island is essential for a planned US missile defense system known as the “Golden Dome.” In a social media post, he claimed Greenland was vital to the project as Danish and Greenlandic officials arrived in Washington for talks aimed at avoiding a confrontation between NATO allies. This marked the first time Trump publicly connected his territorial ambitions to a specific defense initiative.