An unusual sight over the weekend at Yosemite National Park drew attention as six demonstrators rappelled down El Capitan to hang an upside-down American flag. The protest was a direct response to recent actions taken by the Trump administration, specifically the laying off of about 1,000 National Park Service employees.
The cuts affected a range of employees, including custodians, wildlife specialists, and seasonal workers, leading to growing concerns about the maintenance, safety, and welfare of wildlife in the national parks, including iconic locations like Yosemite.
The demonstrators used the flag as a symbol of distress, signaling their disapproval of these staffing reductions and the potential impact on the park’s preservation and management.
The stunt highlighted ongoing frustrations over the administration’s budget cuts to essential services within the National Park Service, underscoring the challenges parks face in maintaining their operations and natural resources.
While the U.S. Flag Code specifies that an inverted flag should be used only as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property, it does not legally prohibit using the flag in this manner for protest purposes.
Earlier this week, Father Michael Pfleger of Saint Sabina’s Church in Chicago also displayed an American flag upside down outside his church. The distress signal, traditionally used to indicate extreme danger or crisis, was meant to draw attention to what Pfleger sees as harmful policy decisions under Trump’s leadership.
Pfleger outlined several reasons for his protest, citing concerns over policies affecting social justice, immigration, healthcare, and racial equality. He accused the administration of fostering division and rolling back progress on key issues impacting marginalized communities.
This latest demonstration is not the first time Pfleger has taken a public stance on political matters. The outspoken priest has a long history of activism and has frequently used his platform to address issues of inequality and systemic injustice. His protest comes amid ongoing national debates over policy direction and the broader impact of Trump’s influence on American society.
