Standing on the steps of the imposing Lincoln Memorial with a view of the stately Capitol Building ahead with its powerful statue ‘Freedom’ and listening to our passionate American tour guide proudly yelling “nothing is higher than freedom” sent tingles down my spine. By my side stood an American security guard with a sub machine gun slung around his broad chest, this sent a shiver of fear down my spine.

This contradictory experience for me summed up freedom which left the question: ‘Do you help defend the rights of freedom or let freedom prevail without any interventions?’ Being a history and politics student and going to Washington DC was a privilege, an incredible and eye-opening experience. The iconic statue that reigns above the sky of Washington DC along with the American Constitution at the National Archives embodies the so-called American principles of freedom. Over the years freedom has been interpreted in many different forms. Although it all originated from one idea, different democratic governments have been able to interpret the ideal of freedom differently all around the globe.

Being able to witness ‘Freedom’ helped me understand that this one statue was a powerful symbol which represents liberty to all Americans, sadly in the current climate with terrorism and hate crime freedom is limited and has to be protected.

Katie Snaith, Tolworth Girls’ School