Demonstrations were held in five cities in the country last night against oil exploration in Nunap Qeqqa (Jameson Land, ed.) near Ittoqqortoormiit. The citizens of Ittoqqortoormiit hope that their concerns will be heard by the oil company and Naalakkersuisut.
The citizens of Ittoqqortoormiit met on Monday 13 July at 7pm at the municipal office to take part in a demonstration against oil exploration. The organizer Hans Brønlund had been excited about how many people would turn up. He was therefore surprised when around a third of the town’s approximately 325 inhabitants took part in the demonstration.
– Nice. We were many, many people. Maybe over 100. And the weather was also good, luckily, says Hans Brønlund to Sermitsiaq the day after the demonstration.
The organizer believes that the large turnout sent a clear signal about the citizens’ attitude to the project.
– It is clear that many others think the same as us. They support that oil exploration should not be carried out because they are worried, says Hans Brønlund.
Will send pictures
Hans Brønlund gave a speech when the protesters met at the municipal office. After this, the opponents marched together through the city. After the procession, member of the municipal council in Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq, Mette Pike Barselajsen (IA), gave a speech.
In his speech, Hans Brønlund explained why he and the other protesters are against the project. He fears that pollutants released in connection with oil exploration and extraction could contaminate the environment and their food base.
– If it spreads to the plants, musk oxen and birds will eat it, and if it runs into the sea, the marine animals we eat will be affected. Eventually it will hit us, and that is what I fear, says Hans Brønlund.
He will send pictures from the demonstration to those they are protesting against, as well as to relevant authorities.
– I hope that we will be heard. I’ll just wait and see what happens.
Naalakkersuisoq: I understand the concerns
While the citizens of Ittoqqortoormiit demonstrated, citizens of Tasiilaq, Narsaq, Nanortalik, Qaqortoq and Nuuk also gathered to show their support.
Naalakkersuisoq for raw materials, Múte B. Egede (IA), wrote on his Facebook page that he understands why citizens are worried.
– I understand the concern that many – and not least the citizens of Ittoqqortoormiit – express. Some of the uncertainty we see is unfortunately due to announcements from American actors, who, without respect for Greenland, have spoken out far too confidently, writes Múte B. Egede and continues:
– It must be emphasized clearly that no decision has yet been made. When the case has to be dealt with, it will be done properly, openly and with respect for both the population, the local community and nature.
Although naalakkersuisoq has expressed understanding for the concerns, Hans Brønlund is still not calm.
– Even if they say so, it is still worrying. When the Americans were here, they said they could bring containers and bulldozers ashore even without a permit. They are just waiting for a permit to be granted. When they were asked what they would do if they didn’t get a permit, they couldn’t really answer that, and I perceive it as pressure, says Hans Brønlund.
