French Parliament member wants US to return Statue of Liberty
French Parliament member Raphaël Glucksmann has stirred up controversy by demanding that the United States return the iconic Statue of Liberty to France. The statue, a symbol of freedom and democracy, was gifted to America by France in the 1880s as a token of friendship and solidarity.
Glucksmann, a center-left politician and co-president of the Place Publique political party, made the bold statement at a recent convention of his party in Paris. He expressed his frustration with the current political climate in the United States, accusing the country of turning its back on democratic values and scientific freedom.
“We’re going to say to the Americans who have chosen to side with tyrants, who have silenced researchers, and who have abandoned their commitment to scientific progress: ‘Give us back the Statue of Liberty,'” Glucksmann declared to a crowd of supporters.
The Statue of Liberty, designed by French sculptor Auguste Bartholdi, was officially presented to America on July 4, 1884. It was later unveiled in New York City on October 28, 1886, as a symbol of freedom and democracy. The statue stands at an impressive 305 feet tall and weighs approximately 450,000 pounds.
Interestingly, a smaller replica of the Statue of Liberty can be found in Paris on Allée des Cygnes, a small island on the Seine River. This replica was gifted to France by the United States in 1889 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution.
Glucksmann’s call for the return of the Statue of Liberty comes amidst his criticism of President Donald Trump’s foreign policy decisions, particularly in regard to Ukraine. The French politician has been a vocal supporter of Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia and has condemned Trump for reducing support to the country.
Furthermore, Glucksmann has slammed Trump for cutting federal funding to American colleges and research institutions, a move that has sparked a French government initiative to attract these researchers to France. He believes that France can offer a more welcoming environment for innovation and scientific research.
In addition to his critique of Trump, Glucksmann has also called out right-wing members of the French Parliament for their support of the former US president and billionaire Elon Musk. He sees them as a “fan club” for Trump and Musk, who serves as a senior advisor to Trump and leads the Department of Government Efficiency.
As the debate over the Statue of Liberty’s ownership continues, it remains to be seen whether Glucksmann’s demands will gain traction or if the iconic symbol will remain in its current home in the United States.
