Silent Protest in Copenhagen to Condemn Trump’s Remarks on NATO Role in Afghanistan
Copenhagen, Denmark – A silent march, expected to draw over a thousand participants, is scheduled to take place in Copenhagen on Saturday, organized by Denmark’s veterans’ association in response to recent comments made by US President Donald trump regarding the contributions of non-US NATO troops during the 20-year conflict in Afghanistan. The demonstration, aptly named #NoWords, reflects the profound disappointment and offense felt by Danish veterans and the wider public.
The controversy stems from President Trump’s assertions on January 22nd, claiming that European NATO forces “stayed a little back, a little off the front lines” throughout the Afghan war. These remarks have ignited widespread outrage across Denmark and throughout Europe, perceived as a dismissive and disrespectful portrayal of the sacrifices made by allied forces.
“The demonstration is called #NoWords as that really describes how we feel. We have no words,” explained Søren Knudsen, Vice President of the veterans’ association, to AFP. “Obviously, we also want to tell Americans that what Trump said is an insult to us and the values that we defended together.”
Denmark has a long history of military cooperation with the United States, having fought alongside US forces in conflicts including the Gulf War, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Forty-four Danish soldiers lost their lives during the Afghan campaign, a sacrifice deeply honored by the nation.
In a poignant display of remembrance and protest, 44 Danish flags, each bearing the name of a fallen danish soldier, were initially placed in planters outside the US embassy in Copenhagen earlier this week. The embassy briefly removed the flags, prompting an apology and their subsequent reinstatement. A statement released by the embassy affirmed their “deepest respect for Danish veterans and the sacrifices Danish soldiers have made for our shared security,” attributing the initial removal to a misunderstanding regarding embassy property regulations and a lack of prior coordination.
Further demonstrating a commitment to honoring the fallen, the US ambassador personally placed the 44 flags in flowerbeds on Friday. Saturday’s demonstration will see the addition of 52 flags, commemorating not only the 44 Danish soldiers who died in Afghanistan but also the eight who perished in Iraq.
The march is set to begin at 1:00 pm (1200 GMT) with a wreath-laying ceremony at Copenhagen’s monument to fallen soldiers. Participants will then proceed on a two-kilometer procession to the US embassy, where a minute of silence will be observed.
Organizers expressed their surprise at the overwhelming support for the demonstration,noting its organic growth from within the veterans’ association to a large-scale public event. Despite recent tensions – including President Trump’s previous expressions of interest in acquiring Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory – Denmark continues to consider the United States its “closest ally.” However, this protest underscores the importance of mutual respect and recognition of shared sacrifices in the enduring transatlantic alliance.
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