In a daring and tongue-in-cheek address, French politician Raphaël Glucksmann has sparked debate by suggesting that the United States no longer deserves the Statue of Liberty. During a party convention this past Sunday, Glucksmann, a member of the European Parliament with the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, directed his remarks towards Americans he accuses of aligning with tyrannical forces. “Give us back the Statue of Liberty,” he declared with a wry smile, eliciting cheers from the crowd. “We gave it to you as a gift, but apparently you despise it. So it will be just fine here at home.”

The storied statue—formally known as "Liberty Enlightening the World"—was envisioned in 1865 by French anti-slavery activist Édouard de Laboulaye as a tribute to the centennial of the U.S. Declaration of Independence and the enduring friendship between France and America, which played a crucial role in the American Revolution. 

Unveiled in 1886 in New York Harbor after years of dedication and craftsmanship, Lady Liberty has greeted millions of immigrants at Ellis Island, embodying the ideals of freedom, hope, and democracy. Its legacy has persisted as a powerful symbol of both liberation and the struggles to achieve it, as noted by the National Park Service (NPS). According to the NPS, the statue has inspired movements advocating for equality and justice, from the American suffragists of the 19th and 20th centuries to Chinese students protesting in the 1980s, illustrating the ongoing relevance of its message.