ROUBAIX, France – A striking new mural titled “The Statue of Liberty’s Silent Protest” was unveiled in Roubaix, France, on July 3, 2025, just one day before America’s Independence Day. Created by Dutch artist Judith de Leeuw, the mural features the iconic Statue of Liberty covering her face, a powerful symbol that has sparked conversations about freedom, migration, and global human rights.
Judith de Leeuw, known professionally as JDL street art, is renowned for her large-scale murals that address social issues. Having worked in over 41 countries across Europe, Asia, and the United States, de Leeuw’s art often reflects the struggles of marginalized communities. Her latest work in Roubaix, a city with one of France’s largest migrant populations, is no exception. The mural’s location and subject matter are deeply intertwined with the local context, where migrants face significant challenges, as highlighted by recent demographic data from the French National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (Insee).
In an Instagram post, de Leeuw explained the inspiration behind the mural, stating, “Freedom, hope, the right to be yourself—those values are lost for many. In Roubaix—a city with one of France’s largest migrant populations—I painted her covering her eyes, because the weight of the world has become too heavy to witness.” The mural’s depiction of the Statue of Liberty, a gift from France to the United States symbolizing friendship and liberty, now appears to turn away, suggesting a critique of current global and American policies on migration and human rights.
The timing of the mural’s unveiling, just before July 4, adds a layer of significance, as it coincides with a period of heightened scrutiny on U.S. immigration policies under the Trump administration. Recent political shifts in both the U.S. and Europe have intensified discussions on migration, with activists and artists like de Leeuw using their platforms to comment on these issues. The mural’s message resonates with ongoing debates about the treatment of migrants and the erosion of freedoms, themes that have been central to de Leeuw’s work since she began her career.
Roubaix, once a thriving industrial center, now faces economic and social challenges, with a significant portion of its population consisting of immigrants and their descendants. The city’s history and current demographic makeup provide a poignant backdrop for de Leeuw’s art, which seeks to amplify the voices of those often unheard. The mural, painted on a prominent building, has already drawn attention from local residents and international observers, with many interpreting it as a call to action for greater empathy and policy reform.
As the world marks Independence Day in the United States, this mural serves as a reminder of the universal aspirations for freedom and the ongoing struggles to achieve them. Judith de Leeuw’s “The Statue of Liberty’s Silent Protest” stands as a testament to the power of art to provoke thought and inspire change, particularly in times of global uncertainty. The piece will likely remain a focal point for discussions on migration, human rights, and the role of public art in shaping public discourse.