The Statue of Liberty covers her face with both hands out of shame, sadness, and fear—a politically charged street art mural appeared in northern France, stunning supporters of President Trump's 'Make America Great Again' movement.
According to World Journal, Dutch artist Judith de Leeuw, also known as JDL the street artist, created this piece titled 'The Silent Protest of the Statue of Liberty' last week in Roubaix, northern France.
“I created this work because the current state of the world breaks my heart,” De Leeuw told the Huffington Post. “I am deeply concerned, not just for the fragile friendship between the EU and the US, but for the cruelty of current immigration policies; as an artist, I feel a moral responsibility to stand up and speak out when the world is in pain. This work is my voice.”
De Leeuw admitted she was shocked by the hundreds of thousands of people who viewed images of her latest work online, as well as by the strong backlash from Trump supporters.
She stated that the ongoing anti-immigrant actions of the Trump administration especially prompted her to act, making it impossible for her to “witness such injustice without responding.”
“I grew up in a Moroccan community in Amsterdam, and later moved to a mostly African and Surinamese area,” she recalled. “Amsterdam is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world, and I've always considered this diversity a gift, bringing color, culture, and joy to our streets. Roubaix is the same—one of France's cities with the largest immigrant populations. We share the same experiences and the same understanding.”
Might Never Be Able to Enter the US Again
De Leeuw said that now, knowing her political artwork might make it difficult for her to travel to the United States; “I might never be able to enter the US again,” she said.
“When friends ask me if this choice was wise, I always say: ‘If I were Hitler’s best friend, I might have become a millionaire in 1940. But then what kind of person would that make me?’” she added.