Chicago March 21, 2025
A French politician, Raphaël Glucksmann, has sparked controversy by calling for the United States to return the iconic Statue of Liberty to France. Glucksmann, a member of the European Parliament, made the statement during a rally, criticizing the U.S. administration’s stance on immigration and scientific freedom.
The Statue of Liberty, a gift from France to the United States in 1886, symbolizes freedom and democracy. However, Glucksmann argues that America’s current policies contradict the monument’s values. He accused the U.S. of “siding with tyrants” and dismissing researchers advocating for scientific autonomy.
Glucksmann acknowledged the U.S.’s past assistance but maintained his stance, suggesting that if the current U.S. government no longer values the ideals embodied by the Statue of Liberty, Europe is prepared to uphold them. He clarified that his call was symbolic, aiming to remind Americans of the statue’s significance to global freedom.
