Jan 18, Kathmandu - Thousands of people took to the streets of Greenland on Saturday to protest US President Donald Trump's threatening remarks. Amidst the heavy snow and ice, residents of the capital Nuuk carried protest placards, waved national flags and chanted "Greenland is not for sale" to show their support for their own autonomy and sovereignty.

As the protesters marched through Nuuk's small downtown area to the US consulate, news broke that President Trump had announced a 10 percent import tariff on goods from eight European countries starting in February. The announcement reportedly sparked further anger among the protesters.

"I thought today couldn't get any worse, but it did," said local youth Malik Dollerup-Schebel. He said President Trump's latest move showed no sensitivity to other nations and people.

President Trump has long advocated for the United States to take possession of Greenland, which is strategically important and rich in mineral resources. Greenland is a self-governing territory under Denmark. Local leaders say his stance has become more assertive since the military coup that ousted former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro earlier this month.

According to Dolerup-Schebel, 21, and Prime Minister Jens-Friedrich Nielsen, the demonstration was the largest in Nuuk’s history, with about a quarter of the population taking part. Similar solidarity rallies were held in other cities in Denmark, Copenhagen and the capital of the Inuit-governed territory of Nunavut in Canada.

“This is not just a Greenland issue, it’s a global issue,” said Alice Ritchie, a woman in Copenhagen, who made it clear that no small nation is for sale.

The Nuuk demonstration was attended by people of all ages. Marie Pedersen, 47, joined her children in a march accompanied by traditional songs and music. “We want to protect our country, our culture and our families,” she said. His nine-year-old daughter, Alaska, carried a placard she made that read “Greenland is not for sale.”

Nuuk police officer Tom Olsen said Saturday’s demonstration was the largest he had ever seen. “We want this to send a message that Europe is united,” he said.

Tilly Martinsson, a former member of the Greenlandic parliament, said she hoped the Trump administration would abandon the “unwise idea” of acquiring Greenland. She said what had started as a gesture of friendship and cooperation had now turned into an open threat. She said protecting NATO and Greenland’s autonomy was more important than potential economic pressure.

Louise Lennart Olsen, a 40-year-old nurse, said she wanted to send a message to the American people, not to President Trump. “I hope they support our desire for Greenland to remain the way we are,” she said. “I hope they will stand up to their own president’s wrongdoing.”