Hundreds of Greenlanders protested outside a new U.S. Consulate in the capital of Nuuk on Thursday, telling American diplomats their presence on the Arctic island isn’t welcome.
Protesters waved Greenlandic flags and signs that read “Stop USA” while shouting “go home” outside the U.S. Consulate.
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The protest coincided with the grand opening of the 30,000-square-foot diplomatic outpost. The consulate was previously located in a small red house on the outskirts of town. This time, the consulate is located in a much more prominent location in downtown Nuuk.
Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen was the most prominent politician who did not attend the grand opening.
The protesters’ chants came in response to a recent visit from Gov. Jeff Landry (R-LA), whom President Donald Trump appointed as his special envoy to Greenland. Before leaving Nuuk on Wednesday, Landry said it was “time for the U.S. to put its footprint back on Greenland.”
“Greenland needs the U.S.,” he told AFP. “I think that you’re seeing the president talk about increasing national security operations and repopulating certain bases in Greenland.”
The protest’s organizer, Aqqalukkuluk Fontain, said the purpose of the demonstration was “not to provoke Donald Trump or Jeff Landry but to show the world that Greenland has its own democracy.”
This week, Landry drew local backlash when he handed chocolate chip cookies and MAGA caps to Greenlanders.
“Three months ago, Greenland was under threat of invasion and takeover, and [Landry] was one of the people supporting that statement,” Greenland Business Association CEO Christian Keldsen said. “Then three months later, you show up here wanting to make friends, handing out chocolate to children and trying to hand out MAGA caps.”
The United States is seeking to increase its presence in Greenland. Trump previously threatened to take the island by force, which has led to strained diplomatic relations with Denmark. The Scandinavian country maintains control over the semi-autonomous territory.
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Trump has since backed down on the threats, but he remains interested in Greenland. The issue has largely fallen out of the public spotlight since the Iran war started, but closed-door talks regarding Greenland have recently taken place in Washington, D.C. Additionally, the U.S. military has been expanding its presence on the island.
Ken Howery, the U.S. ambassador to Denmark, indicated the U.S. is committed to deepening its partnership with Greenland while speaking at a ceremony inside the consulate.
