According to a French Member of the European Parliament, France should reclaim the Statue of Liberty, asserting that the United States has drifted away from the very values that inspired France to gift the statue in the first place.
‘Give us back the Statue of Liberty,’ proclaimed Raphael Glucksmann, a centre-left politician, during a recent convention for his Place Publique movement. He passionately addressed a supportive audience, stating, ‘We’re going to say to the Americans who have chosen to side with the tyrants, to the Americans who fired researchers for demanding scientific freedom: “Give us back the Statue of Liberty.”‘
He continued, ‘We gave it to you as a gift, but apparently you despise it. So it will be just fine here at home.’
Designed by the renowned French sculptor Auguste Bartholdi, the Statue of Liberty has long stood as an emblem of freedom and democracy. Interestingly, Paris boasts a smaller replica of this iconic statue situated on a small island in the Seine.
Mr. Glucksmann, a vocal advocate for Ukraine, has been a strong critic of former President Donald Trump’s dramatic shift in U.S. policy regarding the conflict. He has particularly focused on Trump’s cuts to federal research institutions, which have prompted initiatives by the French government to attract some of these researchers to France.
In a continued call to action, Glucksmann remarked, ‘If you want to fire your best researchers, if you want to dismiss those who, through their freedom and sense of innovation, have propelled your country to global leadership, then we’re ready to welcome them.’
Since Trump’s return to the White House in January, the administration has implemented significant cuts to federal research funding and sought to lay off numerous federal employees engaged in critical health and climate research.
Glucksmann did not stop there; he also directed his criticism at far-right leaders in France, labeling them a ‘fan club’ for both Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, who have been at the forefront of efforts to slash funding.
In a time of transformative change and challenging political landscapes, the dialogue surrounding the Statue of Liberty serves as a poignant reminder of the ideals of liberty and research that many hope to uphold.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
