It Worked: Saturday’s Demonstrations Changed History
Last night, the American president took both military threats and tariffs off the table. It didn’t happen by itself. It happened because thousands of people in Copenhagen, Nuuk, and many other cities took to the streets on Saturday.
“To all of you who marched in Nuuk, stood in the cold in front of Copenhagen City Hall, and raised your Greenlandic flags all over the world – in Danish, Greenlandic, and Canadian cities alike. It worked. Together, we sent a clear signal that there are still many of us who believe in fundamental human rights, democracy, and the voice of the people,” says Julie Rademacher, initiator of Support Greenland and chair of Uagut.
Saturday’s demonstrations reminded the world of something we must not forget: that community and solidarity are stronger than threats and power games. Images of Greenlandic flags in major European cities and handwritten signs reading “Greenland is not for sale” traveled around the world. They showed something the Trump administration had not anticipated: that there is an international community – including Americans, Europeans, and Greenlanders – standing together to defend self-determination and democratic values.
“No one is in doubt about what happened this weekend. We showed the whole world that there is something greater worth fighting for than short-term geopolitical deals. This is about people’s right to determine their own future.”
The Fight Is Not Over
“Although the tariffs have been called off and the military threats have been removed, we must not rest on our laurels. We don’t believe that the American president, after 8 years of wanting to acquire Greenland and a 1-hour thunderous speech on the same topic, will suddenly do a complete turnaround. We hope, but we don’t believe it. So we can sleep well now, but we’re sleeping with our boots on, and we’re arming ourselves with information about democracy and showing trust in our political leaders and thanking them,” says Julie Rademacher.
“And one beautiful thing has come out of all the turmoil: Greenlanders and Danes have come closer to each other than we have been in many years. It’s moving to experience, and we must build on that connection and reconciliation. Not only for our own sake, but also to take responsibility now and create trust and respect between us and for the next generations.”
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