They’re Coming for Lady Liberty — France Says It’s Time to Return the Statue
Current Tensions Over the Statue of Liberty
French Euro-deputy Raphael Glucksmann has called for the return of the Statue of Liberty to France. During a convention of his Place Publique movement, he suggested that America no longer reflects the values that prompted France to gift the statue.
“The US seems to disregard what the statue represents,” Glucksmann argued to his supporters. He particularly criticized recent American policy shifts regarding Ukraine and cuts to research institutions.
The Statue of Liberty has stood in New York Harbor since October 28, 1886. French sculptor Auguste Bartholdi designed this iconic monument as a gift celebrating 100 years of American independence. Paris currently hosts a smaller replica on an island in the Seine River.
Glucksmann’s comments reflect growing European concerns about the current US administration’s policies. He specifically mentioned the dismissal of researchers working on health and climate studies, suggesting France would welcome these scientists.
The politician didn’t hold back in his criticism of the French far-right either. He accused them of acting as cheerleaders for the US president and billionaire Elon Musk, who leads efforts to reduce government spending.
This debate highlights the symbolic weight the Statue of Liberty still carries in French-American relations. What began as a gesture of shared democratic ideals has become a flashpoint in discussions about diverging values.
Some Parisians wonder if Lady Liberty might actually look quite at home back on French soil. The small replica that graces the Seine provides just a hint of what the full-sized version would add to the Parisian skyline.
Key Points of Contention:
- America’s changing stance on Ukraine
- Cuts to US scientific research funding
- Dismissal of federal workers in health and climate fields
- The statue as a symbol of democratic values
France’s initiative to attract American researchers suggests practical steps beyond symbolic gestures. The French government sees an opportunity in the current situation to strengthen its own scientific community while expressing disapproval of US policies.
