Latest news with #TheStatueofLiberty'sSilentProtest
Euronews
2 days ago
- Politics
- Euronews
France's Lady Liberty artwork goes viral as a new Statue of Liberty could be in the works
A mural titled "The Statue of Liberty's Silent Protest" - featuring Lady Liberty covering her face with her hands and her torch now lying on her chest – has been unveiled in France. The artwork by Dutch artist Judith de Leeuw reportedly took six days to complete. It is located on a building in the northern city of Roubaix, and was unveiled just in time for this year's 4 July celebrations. Voir cette publication sur Instagram Une publication partagée par judith de leeuw (@jdlstreetart) No coincidence as to the timing, considering the artwork was designed to illustrate the shame felt by many regarding the Trump administration's immigration policies and ICE detainments of American citizens. The French location is no fluke either, as de Leeuw stated that Roublaix was chosen due to its 'large migrant population.' "The values that the statue once stood for - freedom, hope, the right to be yourself - have been lost for many," she said. The Statue of Liberty - originally named La Liberté éclairant le monde (Liberty Enlightening the World) - was originally conceived by French politician Edouard de Laboulaye and designed by French artist Auguste Bartholdi (1834 – 1904). It is seen as a symbol of liberty, justice and democracy, and was formally delivered to the American minister in Paris on 4 July 1880. Its official unveiling was in New York City's harbour on 28 October 1886, to mark the centennial of the American Declaration of Independence. Since its unveiling, the painting has gone viral and has been seen by more than 18 million people on X, and it has been picked up by several American news outlets, including USA Today and CBS. It also didn't take long for social media users to have their say... Tennessee Rep. Tim Burchett posted on X: 'This disgusts me. If any country ought to be kissing our ass, it's France. My Uncle Roy fought and died and is buried there for their freedom.' Another pro-Trump account called the artwork 'disgusting' and one slammed the mural as 'blatant disrespect towards America.' Conversely, the painting has been praised by many Americans. "In case you are wondering what the world is thinking of us," one person wrote, while another stated: 'That's an incredible picture of how most Americans feel now. Ashamed.' "They should come take the real one back,' wrote another user, adding: 'We don't deserve her anymore.' Funny that should be mentioned, as that last comment echoes those made earlier this year by French lawmaker Raphaël Glucksmann, who suggested that it was time for the green lady to come home. In March, the center-left member of the European Parliament made a compelling argument for the statue to head back to France, saying that the US no longer represents the values that led France to offer the statue in the first place. 'We're going to say to the Americans who have chosen to side with the tyrants, to the Americans who fired researchers for demanding scientific freedom: 'Give us back the Statue of Liberty',' said Glucksmann, adding: 'We gave it to you as a gift, but apparently you despise it. So it will be just fine here at home.' Glucksmann's comments were picked up by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, who retaliated by saying that Donald Trump would 'absolutely not' return the statue gifted by France to the US nearly 140 years ago. 'My advice to that unnamed low-level French politician would be to remind them that it's only because of the United States of America that the French are not speaking German right now,' Leavitt said. 'So they should be very grateful to our great country.' Well, Lady liberty may not be coming back to France any time soon, but that hasn't stopped a group of French sculptors from taking matters into their own hands... Atelier Missor, which describes itself as the last foundry in France, previously announced on X that it wanted to erect a new Statue of Liberty... Larger, more masculine, and in titanium - 'to withstand millions of years.' The initiative quickly struck a chord with Elon Musk, who commented: 'Looks cool.' Beyond the buzz, financing for this pharaonic project remains unclear. Atelier Missor has admitted to being on the verge of bankruptcy following an embarrassing affair last January, when the foundry produced a statue of Joan of Arc for the city of Nice. According to FranceInfo, the project reportedly cost €170,000 but the contract was cancelled and the work was ordered to be dismantled, as the commission did not comply with the rules governing the public sector. This embarrassing setback has cast some doubt as to the feasibility of their titanium Statue of Liberty, making it look more like a publicity stunt. However, Atelier Missor posted an image on X yesterday, with the caption: 'Maybe if we build gigantic statues, we'll awaken telluric forces. The world will tremble, and a dream will be born.' In the wake of the Promethean pompousness of that statement, we're not holding our breath. Still, time will tell.
Saudi Gazette
2 days ago
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
France's Lady Liberty artwork goes viral as a new Statue of Liberty could be in the works
PARIS — A mural titled "The Statue of Liberty's Silent Protest" - featuring Lady Liberty covering her face with her hands and her torch now lying on her chest – has been unveiled in France. The artwork by Dutch artist Judith de Leeuw reportedly took six days to complete. It is located on a building in the northern city of Roubaix, and was unveiled just in time for this year's 4 July celebrations. No coincidence as to the timing, considering the artwork was designed to illustrate the shame felt by many regarding the Trump administration's immigration policies and ICE detainments of American citizens. The French location is no fluke either, as de Leeuw stated that Roublaix was chosen due to its 'large migrant population.' "The values that the statue once stood for - freedom, hope, the right to be yourself - have been lost for many," she said. The Statue of Liberty - originally named La Liberté éclairant le monde (Liberty Enlightening the World) - was conceived by French politician Edouard de Laboulaye and designed by French artist Auguste Bartholdi (1834 – 1904). It is seen as a symbol of liberty, justice and democracy, and was formally delivered to the American minister in Paris on 4 July 1880. Its official unveiling was in New York City's harbour on 28 October 1886, to mark the centennial of the American Declaration of Independence. Since its unveiling, the painting has gone viral and has been seen by more than 18 million people on X, and it has been picked up by several American news outlets, including USA Today and CBS. It also didn't take long for social media users to have their say... Tennessee Rep. Tim Burchett posted on X: 'This disgusts me. If any country ought to be kissing our ass, it's France. My Uncle Roy fought and died and is buried there for their freedom.' Another pro-Trump account called the artwork 'disgusting' and one slammed the mural as 'blatant disrespect towards America.' Conversely, the painting has been praised by many Americans. "In case you are wondering what the world is thinking of us," one person wrote, while another stated: 'That's an incredible picture of how most Americans feel now. Ashamed.' "They should come take the real one back,' wrote another user, adding: 'We don't deserve her anymore.' Funny that should be mentioned, as that last comment echoes those made earlier this year by French lawmaker Raphaël Glucksmann, who suggested that it was time for the green lady to come home. In March, the center-left member of the European Parliament made a compelling argument for the statue to head back to France, saying that the US no longer represents the values that led France to offer the statue in the first place. 'We're going to say to the Americans who have chosen to side with the tyrants, to the Americans who fired researchers for demanding scientific freedom: 'Give us back the Statue of Liberty',' said Glucksmann, adding: 'We gave it to you as a gift, but apparently you despise it. So it will be just fine here at home.' Glucksmann's comments were picked up by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, who retaliated by saying that Donald Trump would 'absolutely not' return the statue gifted by France to the US nearly 140 years ago. 'My advice to that unnamed low-level French politician would be to remind them that it's only because of the United States of America that the French are not speaking German right now,' Leavitt said. 'So they should be very grateful to our great country.' Well, Lady liberty may not be coming back to France any time soon, but that hasn't stopped a group of French sculptors from taking matters into their own hands... Atelier Missor, which describes itself as the last foundry in France, previously announced on X that it wanted to erect a new Statue of Liberty... Larger, more masculine, and in titanium - 'to withstand millions of years.' — Euronews
Euronews
3 days ago
- Politics
- Euronews
France's new Lady Liberty artwork goes viral and divides opinions
A mural titled "The Statue of Liberty's Silent Protest" - featuring Lady Liberty covering her face with her hands and her torch now lying on her chest – has been unveiled in France. The artwork by Dutch artist Judith de Leeuw reportedly took six days to complete. It is located on a building in the northern city of Roubaix, and was unveiled just in time for this year's 4 July celebrations. Une publication partagée par judith de leeuw (@jdlstreetart) No coincidence as to the timing, considering the artwork was designed to illustrate the shame felt by many regarding the Trump administration's immigration policies and ICE detainments of American citizens. The French location is no fluke either, as de Leeuw stated that Roublaix was chosen due to its 'large migrant population.' "The values that the statue once stood for - freedom, hope, the right to be yourself - have been lost for many," she said. The Statue of Liberty - originally named La Liberté éclairant le monde (Liberty Enlightening the World) - was originally conceived by French politician Edouard de Laboulaye and designed by French artist Auguste Bartholdi (1834 – 1904). It is seen as a symbol of liberty, justice and democracy, and was formally delivered to the American minister in Paris on 4 July 1880. Its official unveiling was in New York City's harbour on 28 October 1886, to mark the centennial of the American Declaration of Independence. Since its unveiling, the painting has gone viral and has been seen by more than 18 million people on X, and it has been picked up by several American news outlets, including USA Today and CBS. It also didn't take long for social media users to have their say... Tennessee Rep. Tim Burchett posted on X: 'This disgusts me. If any country ought to be kissing our ass, it's France. My Uncle Roy fought and died and is buried there for their freedom.' Another pro-Trump account called the artwork 'disgusting' and one slammed the mural as 'blatant disrespect towards America.' Conversely, the painting has been praised by many Americans. "In case you are wondering what the world is thinking of us," one person wrote, while another stated: 'That's an incredible picture of how most Americans feel now. Ashamed.' "They should come take the real one back,' wrote another user, adding: 'We don't deserve her anymore.' Funny that should be mentioned, as that last comment echoes those made earlier this year by French lawmaker Raphaël Glucksmann, who suggested that it was time for the green lady to come home. In March, the center-left member of the European Parliament made a compelling argument for the statue to head back to France, saying that the US no longer represents the values that led France to offer the statue in the first place. 'We're going to say to the Americans who have chosen to side with the tyrants, to the Americans who fired researchers for demanding scientific freedom: 'Give us back the Statue of Liberty',' said Glucksmann, adding: 'We gave it to you as a gift, but apparently you despise it. So it will be just fine here at home.' Glucksmann's comments were picked up by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, who retaliated by saying that Donald Trump would 'absolutely not' return the statue gifted by France to the US nearly 140 years ago. 'My advice to that unnamed low-level French politician would be to remind them that it's only because of the United States of America that the French are not speaking German right now,' Leavitt said. 'So they should be very grateful to our great country.' Well, Lady liberty may not be coming back to France any time soon, but that hasn't stopped a group of French sculptors from taking matters into their own hands... Atelier Missor, which describes itself as the last foundry in France, previously announced on X that it wanted to erect a new Statue of Liberty... Larger, more masculine, and in titanium - 'to withstand millions of years.' The initiative quickly struck a chord with Elon Musk, who commented: 'Looks cool.' Beyond the buzz, financing for this pharaonic project remains unclear. Atelier Missor has admitted to being on the verge of bankruptcy following an embarrassing affair last January, when the foundry produced a statue of Joan of Arc for the city of Nice. According to FranceInfo, the project reportedly cost €170,000 but the contract was cancelled and the work was ordered to be dismantled, as the commission did not comply with the rules governing the public sector. This embarrassing setback has cast some doubt as to the feasibility of their titanium Statue of Liberty, making it look more like a publicity stunt. However, Atelier Missor posted an image on X yesterday, with the caption: 'Maybe if we build gigantic statues, we'll awaken telluric forces. The world will tremble, and a dream will be born.' In the wake of the Promethean pompousness of that statement, we're not holding our breath. Still, time will tell.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
MAGA Blast French Over Lady Liberty Shame Mural
Donald Trump supporters are freaking out after a towering mural of Lady Liberty covering her face in shame was unveiled in France. The painting, located in the northern city of Roubaix, is titled 'The Statue of Liberty's Silent Protest.' Dutch artist Judith de Leeuw spent six days creating the mural showcasing a stinging twist on the iconic monument France gifted to the U.S. after the Civil War to commemorate the nations' alliance. De Leeuw told Storyful that the mural reflects the 'shame' she feels over Trump's hardline immigration policies, which have resulted in thousands of migrants being deported. 'Roubaix has a large migrant population, and many of them live in extremely difficult circumstances. The values that the statue once stood for—freedom, hope, the right to be yourself—have been lost for many,' de Leeuw said. She noted that unveiling the piece on July 4, as Americans celebrate Independence Day, was a 'meaningful coincidence.' However, a number of MAGA figures have shown disdain for the mural after images and videos of it were widely shared on social media. 'This disgusts me. If any country ought to be kissing our ass, it's France,' Tennessee Rep. Tim Burchett posted on X. 'My Uncle Roy fought and died and is buried there for their freedom.' Libs of TikTok, the often hateful account run by Chaya Raichik, wrote: 'New mural in France depicts Lady Liberty covering her face in shame. The artist says it's because of our immigration policies. It's not shameful to deport criminal illegal aliens and secure our border! This artist has a sad case of TDS [Trump Derangement Syndrome].' One pro-Trump account called the artwork 'disgusting.' 'There are American families that lost loved ones fighting for France. A lot of American warriors are buried there, trying to help save France. Which is why they gifted us Lady Liberty. The media is just as bad posting this kind of TRASH on July 4th,' it added. Another 'America First' account slammed the mural as 'blatant disrespect towards America.' De Leeuw, however, said locals in Roubaix have embraced the piece and its pro-immigration message. On Instagram, she wrote that the Statue of Liberty was gifted to the U.S. to 'honor the right to freedom for all.' 'But today, that freedom feels out of reach. Not for everyone. Not for migrants. Not for those pushed to the margins, silenced, or unseen,' she wrote. 'I painted her covering her eyes because the weight of the world has become too heavy to witness. What was once a shining symbol of liberty now carries the sorrow of lost meaning.'
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
"That's An Incredible Picture Of How Most Americans Feel Right Now" — People Are Praising France's New Lady Liberty "Protest" Mural That's Going Mega-Viral
Welp, yesterday was American Independence Day, and this year's July 4 celebrations came amid ICE detainments of American citizens and immigrant detention center "merch" being sold as the rest of the world watches. Related: Recently, France unveiled a mural called "The Statue of Liberty's Silent Protest," designed to illustrate the "shame" surrounding the recent immigration policies of the Trump administration. The now-viral painting, seen by over 16 million people, features Lady Liberty covering her face with her hands, with her torch lying on her chest. Dutch artist Judith de Leeuw reportedly took six days to complete the mural, which was painted on a building in Roubaix, France. This location was intentional due to Roubaix's "large migrant population" who live in "extremely difficult circumstances," De Leeuw said to Storyful. "The values that the statue once stood for — freedom, hope, the right to be yourself — have been lost for many," she continued. Related: It's important to note that France formally gifted the Statue of Liberty to the United States on July 4, 1884, to celebrate US independence and American democracy, among other things. De Leeuw called the unveiling of her mural on July 4 a "meaningful coincidence." Here's how people online are reacting to France's newest mural: Related: "In case you are wondering what the world is thinking of us," one person wrote. "The French know. Hell the world knows. But tens of millions here, either clueless or shameless," another person wrote. "They should come take the real one back. We don't deserve her anymore." Related: Others on TikTok expressed similar sentiments in the comments: Opposingly, a Republican lawmaker took to X to express his "disgust" at the mural. What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below. Also in In the News: Also in In the News: Also in In the News:
