Greenland is not for sale, say Iqaluit demonstrators
Solidarity rallies held in capitals of Nunavut, Greenland and Denmark in face of U.S. threat to annex island territory
Aaju Peter leads a march in solidarity with Greenland in the face of what’s being called U.S. imperialism, in Iqaluit on Saturday. U.S. President Donald Trump says his country needs to take over Greenland for national security reasons “one way or the other.” (Photo by Daron Letts)
Residents of Nunavut’s capital stood in solidarity with people in Greenland and Denmark on Saturday as the circumpolar communities took to their respective streets in opposition to U.S. President Donald Trump’s talk of annexing Greenland.
Trump has said in recent weeks the U.S. needs to acquire Greenland — an autonomous territory of Denmark with a mostly Inuit population of approximately 56,000 people — “one way or the other.”
Kooyoo Nowdluk demonstrates her support for Greenland in Iqaluit, on Saturday morning. (Photo by Daron Letts)
He has repeatedly suggested his country will purchase Greenland from Denmark. Told it’s not for sale, he has also not ruled out military force.
“You can’t reason with a mad man,” Iqaluit marcher Bernadette Dean said in an interview during a rally to show solidarity with Greenland, Nunavut’s island neighbour.
About 75 people held up hand-drawn signs and banners saying, “We support Greenland,” “Greenland is a partner not a purchase,” and “Greenland is not for sale.”
The crowd gathered at the Igluvut Building at 10 a.m. Some waved the red and white flags of Kalaallit Nunaat, the Inuit name for Greenland.
Iqaluit march organizer Aaju Peter, an Iqaluit-based lawyer and activist originally from Greenland, has two brothers living in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland.
Trump’s recent rhetoric is serious, she said.
“Greenlanders are under stress,” she said. “I want Greenlanders to know that we truly support them.”
At the same time — and 820 kilometres to the east — several thousand people gathered in Nuuk, across from its Katuaq Cultural Centre, to oppose what some experts are calling U.S. imperialism.
“Our histories, cultures, and strengths are deeply connected,” said Iqaluit demonstrator Mylena Idlout-Mullin. “As an Inuk, I stand in solidarity with Kalaallit Nunaat. I support our relatives in protecting their land, identity, and future.”
Solidarity rallies also took place in Copenhagen, the Danish capital, and several other cities across Denmark, earlier Saturday.
Laakkuluk Williamson, left, and Navarana Beveridge, Denmark’s honorary consul in Iqaluit, unfurl a Greenland banner in front of the Igluvut Building in Iqaluit, on Saturday morning. (Photo by Daron Letts)
The all-ages Iqaluit crowd cascaded down Queen Elizabeth Way from the Four Corners intersection and marched a half-kilometre to Iqaluit Square in front of the Elders Qammaq.
The numbers swelled to 100 people as onlookers joined the procession a couple of blocks later at the downtown post office and NorthMart store.
They chanted “Kalaallit Nunaat Kalaallit pigaat,” which means “Greenland belongs to Greenlanders”.
Meanwhile, a bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers visited Denmark on Friday, in a move to reassure Denmark and Greenland that they supported Denmark’s control of Greenland despite Trump’s vow to take it over.
At Denmark’s request, NATO allies, including Germany, France, Norway, Finland and Sweden, have sent armed forces to conduct military exercises in Greenland.
“It’s not right for Donald Trump to do this,” said Kooyoo Nowdluk, who carried an Inuktitut sign in Iqaluit, on Saturday. “He’s got his own land. He’s got enough.”
Is the Stanley Cup up for sale?
U.S. has dibs at the moment.
Yep their heritage and land will be bought.