Thousands of people took part in a silent protest march in Denmark’s capital, Copenhagen, to condemn remarks made by former US President Donald Trump regarding the role of non-American NATO forces in the Afghanistan war.
The march was organized by Denmark’s Veterans Association and aimed to denounce Trump’s comments, which were widely seen as diminishing the contribution of European NATO troops during the conflict. According to AFP, between 8,000 and 10,000 people joined the demonstration, while Danish police estimated the crowd at around 10,000 participants.
Despite freezing temperatures, demonstrators turned out in large numbers to show solidarity with Danish soldiers and other European troops who served in Afghanistan. The protest followed comments made by Trump on January 22, in which he claimed that European NATO forces had stayed away from frontline combat in Afghanistan. The remarks sparked strong reactions across Denmark and other European countries.
The silent march began at Kastellet, Copenhagen’s historic fortress, where a brief ceremony was held at a memorial honoring soldiers who lost their lives in Afghanistan. Participants then proceeded quietly toward the US Embassy, maintaining silence throughout the march.
Søren Knudsen, vice president of the Veterans Association, said the protest was titled “NoWords” to reflect the depth of emotion triggered by the statement. He said Trump’s remarks were not only an insult to Danish soldiers but also to the shared values and sacrifices made by allies during the war.
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The protesters included military veterans, civilians, and participants from other European nations. Some marched in military uniforms, while others carried Danish flags and placards. No slogans were chanted, and the atmosphere remained somber and reflective.
During the Afghanistan war, 44 Danish soldiers were killed. In their memory, 44 Danish flags were placed outside the US Embassy. The removal of the flags initially drew criticism, after which the embassy issued an apology and reinstalled them.
The demonstration highlighted ongoing sensitivities in Europe over recognition of allied contributions in past military operations and underscored the enduring impact of the Afghanistan conflict on NATO member states.
