Thousands Gather in Copenhagen for Silent Veterans March Following Trump Remarks
Between 8,000 and 10,000 people participated in an emotional and solemn silent march through the streets of Copenhagen on Saturday, organized by Denmark's Veterans' Association. The demonstration was a direct response to comments made by US President Donald Trump that were perceived as downplaying the contributions of non-American NATO forces during the twenty-year conflict in Afghanistan.
Overwhelming Turnout Defies Expectations and Weather
The association had initially anticipated just over a thousand participants, but Danish citizens turned out in massive numbers despite subzero temperatures. Police authorities estimated the crowd to be at least 10,000 strong, while organizers provided a more conservative figure ranging from 8,000 to 10,000 attendees. The march was held in support of veterans and to honor the memory of the forty-four Danish soldiers who lost their lives in Afghanistan.
Trump's Controversial Statements Spark Outrage
President Trump ignited widespread outrage across Denmark and Europe on January 22 when he suggested that European NATO troops had stayed a little back, a little off the front lines during the Afghan war. Denmark has a long history of military cooperation with the United States, having fought alongside American forces not only in Afghanistan but also during the Gulf War and in Iraq.
A Solemn Procession from Kastellet to the US Embassy
The march commenced at Copenhagen's historic Kastellet, where a brief ceremony was conducted at the monument dedicated to fallen soldiers. Participants then proceeded silently for approximately two kilometers toward the United States embassy. The demonstration was aptly named #NoWords, reflecting the profound sense of speechlessness felt by many veterans and their supporters.
The demonstration is called #NoWords because that really describes how we feel. We have no words, stated Soren Knudsen, the association's vice president. Obviously, we also want to tell Americans that what Trump said is an insult to us and the values that we defended together.
Silent Protest with Powerful Visual Statements
Demonstrators carried red-and-white Danish flags, wore military uniforms, and maintained complete silence throughout the procession, with no chanting or slogans. Many participants appeared somber, and some were visibly emotional. At the front of the march, protesters carried a large red banner reading NoWords, while others held hand-drawn placards with messages such as Trump is so dumb and Say sorry, Trump.
Veterans Express Personal Grievances and Solidarity
What Trump said was very insulting, said Henning Andersen, a sixty-four-year-old former Danish UN soldier who served in Cyprus. I have friends who were down there. Some of them were wounded, and they carry the war with them even today. He's saying things he doesn't know the full truth about.
A fifty-eight-year-old member of Denmark's home guard, who identified herself only as Orum, also condemned the remarks while dressed in khaki fatigues and a green beret. How can he even say that? It's insulting, she remarked.
Symbolic Flag Displays and Embassy Response
Earlier in the week, forty-four Danish flags bearing the names of soldiers killed in Afghanistan were placed in planters outside the US embassy. The embassy initially removed the flags but later apologized and replaced them. In a Facebook post, embassy officials expressed nothing but the deepest respect for Danish veterans and the sacrifices Danish soldiers have made for our shared security, clarifying that there was no ill intent behind the removal.
On Friday, January 30, the US ambassador placed forty-four Danish flags in the flowerbeds. The following day, fifty-two additional flags were added, with names inscribed on them—forty-four for those killed in Afghanistan and eight for Danish soldiers who died in Iraq. A minute of silence was observed outside the embassy, and one participant laid a wreath of red and white flowers.
Denmark-US Relations Amidst Ongoing Tensions
Denmark has consistently described the United States as its closest ally and remains a strong partner despite recent diplomatic strains, including Trump's expressed interest in Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory. The silent march served as a poignant reminder of the deep historical and military ties between the two nations, even as political rhetoric threatens to undermine mutual respect and recognition of shared sacrifices.
