A recent demand by French MEP Raphaël Glucksmann has sparked attention, as he called for the United States to return the Statue of Liberty. Glucksmann argued that the U.S. no longer represents the values of freedom and democracy that led France to gift the statue in the first place.
The Statue of Liberty, designed by French sculptor Auguste Bartholdi, was unveiled in New York City in 1886 as a symbol of friendship between France and the U.S. and to commemorate the centennial of American independence.
“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,’ ” the French parliament member, Raphaël Glucksmann, said according to the French newspaper Le Monde.
“We gave it to you as a gift, but apparently you despise it. So it will be just fine here at home,” he added.
Glucksmann’s statement reflects his criticism of certain U.S. policies and actions, which he believes contradict the principles of liberty and scientific freedom that the statue embodies. His comments were met with applause at a convention of his political party, Place Publique.
The Statue of Liberty is a powerful symbol of freedom, democracy, and hope, not only for the U.S. but globally. It has become an iconic representation of the ideals that both France and the U.S. have historically shared, including the abolition of slavery and the pursuit of liberty.
While Glucksmann’s demand is symbolic and unlikely to be fulfilled, it highlights ongoing debates about the representation of these values in contemporary society. Paris already has a smaller replica of the Statue of Liberty on the Seine, which was a gift from the U.S. in 1889
“The second thing we’re going to say to the Americans is: ‘If you want to fire your best researchers, if you want to fire all the people who, through their freedom and their sense of innovation, their taste for doubt and research, have made your country the world’s leading power, then we’re going to welcome them,’” he chimed.