Hundreds gathered in Copenhagen on January 31, 2026, for a solemn procession honoring Danish soldiers killed in Afghanistan, following the removal of memorial flags from outside the US Embassy. The emotionally charged demonstration highlighted growing tensions between the two NATO allies.
The silent march saw veterans wearing service medals and bereaved families carrying Danish flags, walking from Kastellet fortress to the US diplomatic compound. This followed embassy staff's removal of 44 flags bearing fallen soldiers' names earlier in the week – an action described as routine security protocol but perceived by participants as disrespectful.
"These flags represent lives given alongside American forces," said Sean Teigen, a veteran who served in Helmand Province. "To see them treated as disposable decorations… it reopened wounds for families still grieving."
Organizers connected the incident to broader diplomatic friction, including recent renewed discussions by former US President Donald Trump about acquiring Greenland – a Danish autonomous territory. "We stand with Greenland's right to self-rule," emphasized protest coordinator Søren Kusen, addressing media at the embassy gates.
The two-hour demonstration concluded with five minutes of silence observed at the embassy's perimeter, participants facing the compound where the contested flags had briefly stood. While organizers stressed the event's apolitical nature, many attendees linked their presence to concerns about shifting transatlantic alliances.
