Nearly 140 years after the Statue of Liberty was gifted to America by France, French lawmaker Raphael Glucksmann has suggested it is time for the "green lady" to return home.
The center-left member of the European Parliament has made a compelling argument for the statue to be returned to France, stating that the US no longer represents the values that led France to offer the statue, writes A2 CNN.
"We will say to the Americans who chose to side with tyrants, to the Americans who fired researchers for their pursuit of scientific freedom: 'Give us back the Statue of Liberty ,'" Glucksmann said, adding: "We gave it to you as a gift, but apparently you despise it. So it will be fine here at home."
A day after this statement, the White House also reacted. Through spokeswoman Caroline Leavitt, the United States reminded France that it is thanks to them that the French do not speak German, reports A2 CNN.
In response to his comments, Leavitt referred to the US intervention in Europe in World War I and World War II, when American troops liberated France from German occupation.
"It is only thanks to the United States of America that the French do not speak German today, so they should be very grateful to our great country," said White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt, calling Raphaël Glucksmann a "small, unknown French politician."
The Statue of Liberty, originally called La Liberté éclairant le monde (Liberty Enlightening the World), was conceived by French politician Edouard de Laboulaye and designed by French artist Auguste Bartholdi (1834–1904).
It is seen as a symbol of freedom, justice, and democracy and was officially presented to the American minister in Paris on July 4, 1880. Its official unveiling took place in New York City harbor on October 28, 1886, to mark the centennial of the American Declaration of Independence. (A2 Televizion)
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