'Hands off Greenland!' Denmark fury erupts at Trump as thousands take to the streets

Denmark protest: Anger at Donald Trump's Greenland stance

Donald Trump has come under furious attack from thousands of protesters in Denmark over his plot to annex Greenland. The demonstration, held in Denmark’s second city of Aarhus, drew families, activists and Greenlanders united in opposition to the proposal.

Speakers at the rally said Greenland's future must be decided by its own people, stressing that Denmark would never hand over territory for political gain, as protesters waved placards and chanted slogans condemning the move.

The gathering is described as calm and orderly, with families attending alongside activists and a small number of Greenlanders who said they wanted their voices heard amid growing international tension.

A protestor called Agatha said: "We must stop the mad king. Trump cannot be allowed to take land like a board game. We Danes do not support him and never will. I trust our leaders will do what is right and not give in to a bully like Trump."

Around 4,000 people are understood to have attended the protest, which sent a blunt message to the former US president to "keep your hands off Greenland".

The Aarhus demonstration began shortly after midday local time (11:00 GMT) and is anticipated to last for around an hour.

Furious protesters have vented their fury at Trump over his plans for Greenland (Image: JJ Anisiobi)

Images from the demonstration show large crowds packed into the streets of Aarhus, with protesters waving Danish and Greenlandic flags and holding hand-written placards opposing the takeover.

Signs reading "Hands off Greenland” and “Make America go away” can be seen above the crowd, as speakers address demonstrators using a portable sound system.

The images also show families and older residents among those attending, reinforcing organisers’ claims that the rally was peaceful and community-led.

Politicians addressing the crowd insisted Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and warned that any attempt to seize control of the Arctic territory would be firmly rejected.

The rally in Aarhus formed part of a coordinated day of action, with demonstrations taking place at set times across Denmark and Greenland.

Organisers said the protests were deliberately timed to coincide with international attention on the issue, while stressing the events would remain peaceful and family-friendly.

Greenlandic flags are waved as crowds gather in Aarhus to protest annexation plans (Image: JJ Anisiobi)

Large crowds fill the streets of Aarhus as protesters gather for a peaceful demonstration against pl (Image: JJ Anisiobi)

The demonstrations come amid renewed tensions after Donald Trump again suggested the United States should take control of Greenland, remarks that have been repeatedly dismissed by Danish and Greenlandic leaders as unacceptable and unrealistic.

The dispute has also drawn international attention, with European allies voicing support for Denmark and Greenland and warning that any attempt to change borders through pressure or threats would risk undermining diplomatic relations.

Donald Trump has argued that Greenland is of critical strategic importance to the United States due to its location in the Arctic, claiming control of the territory would strengthen American national security and military reach in the region.

The former president has also pointed to Greenland’s vast natural resources, including rare earth minerals, oil and gas, which are seen as increasingly valuable amid global competition and the transition to green technologies.

Trump has previously claimed that US ownership of Greenland would counter growing influence from Russia and China in the Arctic, where melting ice has opened new shipping routes and intensified geopolitical rivalry.

His remarks have repeatedly framed Greenland as a strategic asset rather than a sovereign territory, a stance that has been firmly rejected by Danish and Greenlandic leaders, who insist the island’s future can only be decided by its own people.