As Americans celebrated Independence Day, a powerful new mural emerged in Roubaix, France, showing the Statue of Liberty with her face buried in her hands—a dramatic image symbolizing sorrow and shame. Once a global emblem of freedom and the enduring friendship between France and the United States, Lady Liberty now appears in silent protest over U.S. immigration policies.
A Gift Turned Protest Symbol
The mural, titled The Statue of Liberty’s Silent Protest, was created by Dutch street artist Judith de Leeuw. It now covers a large wall on Rue de Chemin-de-Fer in Roubaix, a city with a significant migrant population. De Leeuw told Storyful that the mural was intended to reflect the disillusionment of many immigrants and citizens alike.
“Roubaix has a large migrant population, and many of them live in extremely difficult circumstances,” she said. “The values the statue once represented—freedom, hope, the right to be yourself—feel lost for many today.”
De Leeuw said it took six days to complete the mural, finishing just before July 4—a timing she described as a “meaningful coincidence.”
Targeting Trump-Era Policies
According to a USA Today report, de Leeuw said the mural specifically expresses dismay over former President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, which critics say eroded America’s image as a refuge for those in need.
Online Reactions Divided
The artwork has stirred strong reactions on social media. One user on X (formerly Twitter) criticized the mural, saying, “We’re making America great again! We are NOT ashamed!” Another user wrote, “Coming to America legally is what Lady Liberty symbolizes. Illegal immigration doesn’t fit that narrative.”
Others praised the mural’s message. “It’s powerful and heartbreaking,” one commenter posted. “It says what many are feeling but don’t know how to express.”
Some users, however, focused on the execution rather than the message. “They didn’t even draw it right,” one wrote. “COME ON!!!”
A Global Mirror
The Statue of Liberty was originally a gift from France following the American Civil War, meant to celebrate shared values of democracy and liberty. This mural, however, reflects how those ideals are being questioned today—especially by those watching from abroad.
