Mural in France depicts Lady Liberty covering her face in shame over US policies

A mural in the northern French town of Roubaix has gone viral for its bold critique of US President Donald Trump’s immigration and deportation policies.

Painted by Amsterdam-based street artist Judith de Leeuw, the massive artwork depicts the Statue of Liberty covering her eyes in apparent sorrow. De Leeuw described the piece as “a quiet reminder of what freedom should be,” especially for migrants and marginalized communities.

“Freedom feels out of reach for migrants and those pushed to the margins, silenced or unseen,” she wrote in a Facebook post on July 4, the day Americans celebrated Independence Day.

“I painted her covering her eyes because the weight of the world has become too heavy to witness. What was once a shining symbol of liberty now carries the sorrow of lost meaning.”

The mural has struck a chord online, garnering millions of views, while also sparking backlash.

 US Congressman Tim Burchett, a Republican from Tennessee, criticised the artwork on social media, calling it “disgusting.” He cited his uncle’s sacrifice in France during the World Wars as part of his objection.

Despite the criticism, de Leeuw remains firm in her stance. “I’m not offended to be hated by the Donald Trump movement. I am not sorry. This is the right thing to do,” she told The Associated Press.

Local officials in Roubaix have defended the artwork. The town’s deputy mayor for cultural affairs, Frédéric Lefebvre, called it “a very strong and powerful political message” in remarks to broadcaster France 3.