Bjork Urges Greenland to Seek Independence as Trump Revives Annexation Talk

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Icelandic singer Björk has renewed her call for Greenland to declare independence from Denmark, warning that the island risks falling under US control amid fresh remarks from Donald Trump
Icelandic singer Björk has urged Greenland to declare independence from Denmark before Donald Trump annexes the island
Icelandic singer Björk has urged Greenland to declare independence from Denmark before Donald Trump annexes the island. Photo: Getty

Bjork shared a strongly worded statement on Instagram on Monday, urging Greenlanders to follow Iceland’s example and break away from Danish rule. Her comments come after Donald Trump reiterated his interest in Greenland, telling The Atlantic that the U.S. «needs it for defence».

Greenland, home to around 57,000 people, is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark but remains dependent on Copenhagen for defence, foreign policy and roughly half of its public budget. While the island has the legal right to hold a referendum on independence, no vote has yet been scheduled.

Bjork referenced Denmark’s colonial history in Greenland and past abuses against Indigenous communities, including the forced contraception programme that affected thousands of Greenlandic women during the second half of the 20th century. She also criticised long-standing social policies that separated Inuit children from their families, calling them dehumanising.

«This is not the first time Björk has spoken out,» she wrote, noting Iceland’s own independence in 1944 and warning that Greenland must avoid moving «from one coloniser to another».

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on Monday that both Denmark and Greenland have firmly rejected the idea of the island becoming part of the United States, stressing that Greenland’s future should be decided by its own people.

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