Danish police use of batons against seated protesters sparks debate over protest culture

A leading police researcher has called footage of Danish officers striking seated protesters with batons “a defeat for Danish protest culture,” following a confrontation outside the Copenhagen headquarters of shipping giant Maersk on Wednesday.

Video published by the outlet Arbejderen shows officers using batons against a small group of young activists, some sitting against the entrance and others lying on their backs with hands covering their faces. The protesters had gathered to block access to the building, accusing Maersk of transporting weapons to Israel and thereby contributing to what they describe as a genocide against Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.

Police removed the protesters shortly after the blockade began, employing batons and police dogs. Copenhagen Police confirmed to DR and TV2 Kosmopol that officers “briefly” used batons after demonstrators “had entered private property and refused to comply with police instructions.”

“It’s not always possible to carry people away in a given situation,” said Peter Dahl, lead police inspector for Copenhagen Police. “When that isn’t feasible, physical force may become necessary—but only after a concrete assessment. Our priority is always the most peaceful resolution possible.”

Several activists later sought medical attention for injuries sustained during the confrontation. Magnus Gude Lykken, an activist with the Green Youth Movement, told public broadcaster DR’s P1 Morgen that he was struck twice on the arm and questioned the proportionality of the response, particularly against those already in a fetal position.

“I don’t think any of us expected it to escalate like that,” Lykken said. “Normally, there’s time for dialogue—that’s when we start assessing risks and negotiating with police.”

Adam Diderichsen, a police researcher and associate professor at the Danish Defence Academy, acknowledged that while police are legally entitled to use force when necessary and proportionate, the images represent a setback for Denmark’s protest culture.

“If the conditions were met—if force was necessary and proportionate—then police are permitted to use batons and dogs,” Diderichsen said. “It’s undoubtedly unpleasant to experience, but the Police Act clearly allows it. That said, this isn’t de-escalation; it’s escalation. When laws and rules aren’t respected, there comes a point where hard physical force enters the picture.”

Diderichsen noted that police could have chosen to carry protesters away but stressed that demonstrators bear shared responsibility for cooperation. “A protest is a form of collaboration between police and demonstrators. When it goes wrong, both sides must ask whether they contributed constructively—or did things that derailed that cooperation.”

Inspector Dahl urged anyone believing they had experienced disproportionate force to file a complaint with the Independent Police Complaints Authority.