Upside-Down US Flag Hung on El Capitan in Yosemite
A Symbol of Distress
An American flag was hung upside down on El Capitan at Yosemite National Park on Saturday, following the firing of about 1,000 National Park Service employees by the Trump administration. The flag was draped over El Capitan, a 3,000-foot mountain of sheer granite hanging over the valley and one of the park’s most popular attractions.
A Show of Protest
The flag was hung as a symbol of “dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property,” according to The American Legion’s Flag Code. Yosemite employees who were fired by the Trump administration recently expressed concerns that the cuts would affect the experience of visitors and the welfare of wildlife that thrive in the popular vacation destination located in California’s Sierra Nevada.
A Glaring Example
The Trump administration’s decision to fire about 1,000 newly hired National Park Service employees who maintain and clean parks, educate visitors, and perform other functions as part of its broad-based effort to downsize government is a stark reminder of the potential consequences of such a move. At least a dozen of those who lost their jobs worked at Yosemite.
A Glimmer of Hope
Facing outcry, the administration plans to restore at least 50 jobs across the parks. The park service also said in a new memo it will hire more seasonal workers than normal. The park service has about 20,000 employees.
Uncertainty Remains
It’s unclear if those who displayed the flag were visitors or park employees. However, hundreds of visitors flock to Yosemite Valley this time of year to see Horsetail Fall at El Capitan. The glowing waterfall, a phenomenon created by the setting sun, usually only appears in the later part of February.
Conclusion
The upside-down flag on El Capitan serves as a powerful symbol of the concerns and frustrations of those affected by the recent layoffs. As the park service works to restore some of the lost jobs and hire more seasonal workers, the community remains vigilant about the impact these changes will have on the park and its visitors.
FAQs
* What is the significance of an upside-down American flag?
The American Legion’s Flag Code states that an upside-down flag is a signal of “dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.”
* Who hung the flag on El Capitan?
It is unclear whether those who hung the flag were visitors or park employees.
* What is the context behind the flag-hanging?
The flag was hung in response to the firing of about 1,000 National Park Service employees by the Trump administration.
