In the French city of Roubaix, a poignant new mural has emerged as both a symbol of sorrow and a searing critique of contemporary politics. As Americans across the ocean celebrated their Independence Day, artist Judith de Leeuw unveiled Lady Liberty’s Mural with Face Hidden in shame.
Titled The Statue of Liberty’s Silent Protest, the mural replaces the beacon of hope and freedom with an image of despair and disillusionment. Created by the renowned Dutch muralist, this artistic statement is located on a wall along Rue de Chemin-de-Fer, and it quickly gained global attention—not only for its striking imagery but for the message it seeks to convey in an increasingly divided world.
The Statue of Liberty, a neoclassical sculpture standing tall in New York Harbor, was originally a gift from France to the United States after the American Civil War. It was intended as a symbol of freedom, enlightenment, and the enduring values of liberty and democracy shared by both nations.
But now, that symbol has taken on a more complex, somber role in the mural—her torch replaced with obscured features and her usual upright posture exchanged for a slump of shame. This transformation challenges the ideals she once so proudly represented, forcing viewers to confront questions about the present and future of those values.
Lady Liberty’s Mural with Face Hidden In Shame
Judith de Leeuw, the artist behind this emotionally charged mural, revealed in an interview with Storyful that the piece was inspired by her reflections on recent American immigration policies, particularly those under former President Donald Trump. According to Leeuw, the image of Lady Liberty burying her face in her hands was meant to symbolize shame—shame for the erosion of the very principles the statue was supposed to enshrine.
“Roubaix has a large migrant population, and many of them live in extremely difficult circumstances,” she explained. “The values that the statue once stood for—freedom, hope, the right to be yourself—have been lost for many.” The decision to complete the mural just before July 4, Independence Day in the United States, was not incidental.
Leeuw called the timing a “meaningful coincidence,” implying a stark contrast between the traditional celebration of freedom and the contemporary realities faced by migrants and refugees both in the United States and in Europe.
🔥🚨BREAKING: France revealed a new mural of Lady Liberty covering her face in shame and was unveiled the day before America's Independence Day as a shot to the American people. This comes a year after France failed to repossess The Statue of Liberty. pic.twitter.com/ItVRd7EaVd
— Dom Lucre | Breaker of Narratives (@dom_lucre) July 4, 2025
Her six-day effort culminated in a piece that not only speaks to local residents in Roubaix but also resonates on a global scale. The mural doesn’t just protest Trump-era policies—it invites broader contemplation on how Western nations treat migrants and the declining faith in the universal values once proudly touted by democratic societies. In that sense, Lady Liberty’s hidden face becomes a silent indictment of injustice, inequality, and lost ideals.
Public Reaction: A Divide in Perception
As is often the case with politically charged art, public response to the mural has been mixed and impassioned. On social media platform X (formerly Twitter), users voiced a wide range of opinions—some in support of the message, and others vehemently opposed.
One user expressed dismay at the symbolism, writing, “Well, look at their leader! Wouldn’t expect anything less from them,” presumably referring to France’s own political controversies. This comment seemed to deflect criticism of the United States by pointing out the perceived hypocrisy or missteps in French governance.
Read : French Lawmaker Raphaël Glucksmann Demands US to Return the Statue of Liberty
Another user criticized the premise of the mural, stating, “Coming to America legally is what makes Lady Liberty a standing source of hope and opportunity. Starting that journey illegally does not apply.” This perspective highlights a recurring argument among immigration hardliners who stress legality and border enforcement, often suggesting that undocumented immigrants undermine the country’s values rather than exemplify them.
Not all reactions were defensive or critical. Some users fully embraced the message of the mural, emphasizing that Lady Liberty’s symbolic protest was long overdue. “We are NOT ashamed,” one wrote in stark contrast, likely interpreting the mural as a political attack rather than a universal call to self-examination. Others ridiculed the technical execution of the artwork itself, with one dismissing it as, “They didn’t even draw it right, COME ON!!!!!!”
This broad spectrum of responses underscores the mural’s power—not necessarily to unify opinion, but to provoke discussion, reflection, and even outrage. And in doing so, it fulfills one of the most vital functions of public art: to challenge complacency and spark dialogue.
Liberty Reimagined: The Statue’s Changing Legacy
To understand the significance of this new mural, one must first revisit the original symbolism of the Statue of Liberty. Designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and dedicated in 1886, the statue was intended to be a symbol of international friendship, democracy, and the welcoming of immigrants to the New World. Inscribed at its base is the famous poem by Emma Lazarus: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”
Over the decades, Lady Liberty has served as an emblem of hope to millions of immigrants arriving in the United States, especially through Ellis Island in the early 20th century. Her outstretched torch was a beacon guiding newcomers to safety, dignity, and opportunity. For many, it represented the American Dream—one rooted in equality, justice, and freedom.
But in the face of rising nationalism, stricter immigration laws, and a more divided political atmosphere, the statue’s message has come under scrutiny. For critics of recent policies, especially those that involve family separations, travel bans, or detention centers, the values embodied by Lady Liberty have become compromised.
That’s precisely why Leeuw’s mural feels both shocking and deeply necessary. It forces the viewer to reconsider what Liberty means today, and whether the ideals it once signified still hold weight.
By portraying the statue as shamed and silent, the artist reclaims the figure for modern activism. It’s not a rejection of the United States or its history, but a powerful question mark placed upon its current direction. This transformation from symbol of pride to symbol of protest signals a cultural shift, urging people everywhere to hold their governments accountable and to reflect on their roles in upholding or betraying democratic values.
Lady Liberty, in Leeuw’s mural, becomes more human—capable of emotion, disappointment, and perhaps even regret. Her silent protest speaks volumes, not just about America’s policies, but about the global state of human rights, empathy, and moral leadership.
In a time when art is often dismissed as decoration or sidelined by political noise, this mural cuts through both. It reminds us that symbols matter, especially when they are repurposed to shine a light on uncomfortable truths.
Ultimately, The Statue of Liberty’s Silent Protest is more than just a mural. It’s a mirror held up to society, reflecting both its triumphs and its failures. Whether one agrees with its message or not, it undeniably commands attention and introspection. That alone makes it a remarkable piece of public commentary—and a fitting artistic statement for a world grappling with what liberty really means.