Upside-Down American Flag At Yosemite National Park
Upside-Down Flag Signals Distress
An American flag was flown upside down on Yosemite’s El Capitan rock to protest job cuts in the National Park Service. According to U.S. Flag Code, this “is a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.”
Job Cuts Impact Parks
The Trump administration cut 1,000 National Park Service jobs, worrying staff about park safety and maintenance. Yosemite mechanic Gavin Carpenter said, “We want to shed light on the challenges facing our national parks… We’re losing staff, and if we want to keep the parks open, this is not sustainable.”
Public Reaction
Photographer Brittany Colt, who shared the photo online, said, “Several of my friends lost their jobs overnight, leaving our public lands vulnerable… These weren’t just jobs—they were essential services like Search and Rescue.”
Partial Reversal and Ongoing Concerns
The administration plans to restore 50 jobs and hire 3,000 seasonal workers, but many fear it won’t solve long-term problems. The upside-down flag remains a powerful symbol of the parks’ struggles.
