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23h ago

Roubaix Mural of Statue of Liberty Shielding Eyes Draws Local Praise and U.S. Condemnation

Endorsed by Roubaix’s leaders as a strong statement on migrant hardship, it faces denunciation from a U.S. congressman.

A mural by Dutch artist Judith de Leeuw shows the Statue of Liberty covering her eyes with her hands, in Roubaix, northern France, Monday, July 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Sylvain Plazy)
A mural by Dutch artist Judith de Leeuw shows the Statue of Liberty covering her eyes with her hands, in Roubaix, northern France, Monday, July 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Sylvain Plazy)
A mural by Dutch artist Judith de Leeuw shows the Statue of Liberty covering her eyes with her hands, in Roubaix, northern France, Monday, July 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Sylvain Plazy)
Dutch Artist Judith de Leeuw poses in her apartment in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Friday, July 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahmad Seir)

Overview

  • The mural has amassed millions of online views since its unveiling on July 3, making it a global focal point for discussion of immigration policy.
  • Judith de Leeuw designed the artwork to show the Statue of Liberty shielding her eyes, saying the weight of the world has become too heavy to witness and that liberty now carries the sorrow of lost meaning for migrants.
  • Roubaix’s deputy mayor, Frédéric Lefebvre, described the piece as a “very strong and powerful political message” and defended its public display.
  • Rep. Tim Burchett condemned the mural as “disgusting,” referencing his uncle who died fighting in France during the world wars.
  • Installed during the URBX street culture festival in Roubaix, a former textile town facing economic decline and home to a large immigrant population, the mural underscores local ties to migrant issues.