« You are guests here. This implies responsibilities, » said the elected representative of the Greenland capital.By Anne-Fleur Andrle with AFP
What was intended as a satirical provocation finally turned into a political incident. In Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, an attempt to stage the American flag has sparked anger and unease, prompting the city’s mayor to publicly call on the media and content creators to be responsible.
On Wednesday, January 28, a man dressed in a dark suit and waving a United States flag tried several times to hoist it on a flagpole near the cultural center of the Greenlandic capital. The scene, observed by AFP journalists, quickly attracted the attention of passers-by, some of whom called out to him vehemently. Faced with the reactions, the man left the scene.
But who is this individual? It is in fact the German comedian Maxi Schafroth, 41 years old. On the spot, he reportedly claimed to be an American official. According to local media, he was then reported to the police and punished with a fine.
Except that in Greenland, a territory plagued by the territorial ambitions of the American president, the gesture went beyond simple provocation. Avaaraq Olsen, mayor of the municipality of Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq (which includes Nuuk) denounced the move as « extremely damaging ». « Raising the flag of the military superpower that for weeks has hinted that it could use force against our country is no joke, » she said in a statement. « It’s not funny. »
« You are guests here »
For several weeks, Donald Trump’s statements on Greenland have revived deep concerns among the local population. The US president is multiplying his outings, suggesting that Washington could seek to take control of this strategic, resource-rich Arctic territory that is « crucial » to security in the Arctic. Although he has since ruled out the use of force and initiated discussions with Denmark and the Greenlandic authorities, the trauma remains.
It is in this climate that the mayor of Nuuk directly called out journalists, videographers and influencers who came to cover the crisis. « You are guests here. This implies responsibilities, » she insisted. « When you amplify those fears to get clicks, laughs, or viral content, you’re not being bold or creative. You add to the distress of an already vulnerable population. »
Olsen also spoke of the psychological impact on residents, including the stress and anxiety generated by the U.S. statements. « Take a break before filming. Think before you stage something ‘funny’, » she urged, calling for questions about whether these actions « inform the world or simply make families less safe in their own countries. »
Maxi Schafroth is a well-known figure in Germany, notably for his participation in the satirical programme « Extra Drei », broadcast by the public broadcaster NDR and followed by more than a million viewers. When contacted, the channel expressed its « regrets »
source : huffingtonpost
