Large anti-Trump protests under the slogan Hands off Greenland occurred in numerous cities across Greenland and mainland Denmark on 17 January 2026. Organized in response to the Greenland crisis caused by Donald Trump's threats to annex Greenland, they represent the largest protests ever held in Greenland.[1] The protests prominently featured the slogan "Greenland is not for sale".[2] Other slogans included "Yankee, Go Home" and "Make America Go Away".[3]
History
Background
Escalation
Escalation of the already pre-existing tension between Denmark and the United States regarding the Greenlandic question started to sour even more as Trump, in December 2025, unilaterally appointed Jeff Landry as "special envoy to Greenland".[4][5] Landry subsequently stated that his objective was to make Greenland part of the U.S.[6] In response, Danish Foreign MinisterLars Løkke Rasmussen called Landry's statements "completely unacceptable" and urged every nation, including the United States, to respect Danish ownership over the island.[7][8]
The situation escalated on 6 January 2026, when Donald Trump claimed that he was open to use the military as to take over Greenland if necessary.[13] Despite resistance from the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he ordered the Joint Special Operations Command to prepare a possible military plan to take Greenland by force.[14] On 12 January 2026, Trump stated that the U.S. would own Greenland "one way or another",[13] with Trump officials threatening to "take action" the following day, stating that the U.S. could do so "within weeks".[15] Amid the escalation, and a diplomatic discussion between European and US envoys, Operation Arctic Endurance was called upon by Denmark as a consequence of such escalation, involving multiple NATO members.[16]
Preparation of the protest
Following the escalation, multiple organizations, primarily Greenlandic, called upon citizens from Denmark to join the protest. One of the organizers, Uagut, stated that the goal of the "Hands off Greenland" protests was "to send a clear and unified message of respect for Greenland's democracy and fundamental human rights".[17][18]
Thousands indicated on social media that they would participate,[19] with at least 900 people confirming their participation on the official Facebook page for Greenland (approximately 1.6% of the population).[18][20] The rally in Copenhagen was scheduled to start at 12:00 p.m. local time (11:00 GMT), while the rally in Nuuk was scheduled on 4:00 pm (15:00 GMT).[18] The organizing bodies included UAGUT, "Hands Off Kalaallit Nunaat", the "Inuit organization" (composed of over 20 other Inuit sub-organizations), and the NGOMellemfolkeligt Samvirke.[21]
Anti-Trump Hands off Greenland protests in Copenhagen, 2026
A local of Iqaluit named Aaju Peter, after finding out of the protest, organized a local protest in the city in support of the people of Greenland, whom he defined as "one people" when compared to the indigenous people living in Nunavut. The protest was scheduled for 10 a.m. local time (15:00 GMT).[22]
Protests
Canada
Up to 70 people showed up to the protest in Iqaluit despite the cold temperature,[22][23] with the demographic of the protest being mixed between students, elderly and workers residing within the city.[24] The protest was spontaneous.[22][23][24]
Denmark
The Danish protest in Copenhagen drew thousands of people to the streets,[25][26] while other protests occurred spontaneously throughout mainland Denmark,[26] in cities such as Aarhus, Aalborg and Odense.[27] Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also expressed support for the protest and commented on how "lovely" it was seeing the unity of the protest.[28] Estimates suggest that up to 20,000 people attended the Copenhagen rally[26]
Greenland
The prime minister of Greenland, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, attended the protests in Greenland and cheered.[28] Participation was estimated at approximately 5,000 people, around 25% of Nuuk's population attending, making it the largest protest in Greenland's history.[29][30]
Symbols
The protests featured numerous symbols, including the flag of Denmark and the Erfalasorput flag.[25] The protesters were observed chanting "Kalaallit Nunaat" during the protests in Copenhagen and displayed slogans such as "Greenland is not for sale", "Yankee, Go Home,"[1] "Greenland for the Greenlanders", "USA already has too much ICE", as well as the name of the protest, "Hands off Greenland".[25][26][27][31] The slogan "Make America Go Away" was also seen.[32][33][34][26]
Consequences
The protests coincided with a visit to Copenhagen by a bipartisan delegation from the US Congress, leading delegation leader Chris Coons to issue a statement in support of the protests and in support of Denmark and Greenland's sovereignty.[25][35]
Hats parodying MAGA hats by replacing it with "Make America Go Away", one of the slogans during the protests, and the slogan "Nu det NUUK!" (a twist on the common Danish phrase "Nu er det nok," "Now it's enough" in english) were sold out multiple times in less then a day in the days following the protest.[36][37] Following the protests, these hats have become a popular and widespread anti-americanist and anti-Trump symbol in Denmark and in Greenland.[38] They were also popular outside of Greenland and Denmark, and despite selling out in Denmark and in Greenland's markets, an even higher number of hats were actually purchased in America itself as an anti-establishment symbol.[39]
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