YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK – A large American flag was hung upside down off the iconic El Capitan to protest the 1,000 National Park Service jobs cut by President Trump ahead of the busy travel season. An upside down flag is generally considered a sign of distress.
The location and timing of the flag was strategic: it’s happening during Firefall, an event that draws thousands of visitors to Yosemite to catch a glimpse of a waterfall off El Capitan that is illuminated by the sun during this time of year.
President Trump’s administration has been slashing jobs across the board, but the cuts to the National Park Service triggered significant public backlash as they directly impact beloved national parks across the country. Supporters of the layoffs point to Trump reversing course and now allowing 7,700 seasonal park workers to be hired, up from the 5,000 seasonal workers previously announced.
But the cuts are already having operational impacts. Yosemite halted reservations for 577 camping spots. Carlsbad Caverns canceled guided cave tours. Saguaro National Park closed its visitor centers on Mondays. Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument is closed two days a week due to lack of staffing, as is Effigy Mounds National Monument in Iowa.
The U.S. Forest Service was also ordered to cut 3,400 jobs. Almost all are probationary hires.
The video of the upside down flag was shared with National Park News by Instagram user @fisheye.lens.
National Park News
Anyone with any sense knows that probational workers are there to learn so that they will be ready to step into the boots of the seasoned folks of the Parks and Fire services. Retirement happens so what is the proposed plan when they have no one who knows what they’re doing left?