Yosemite National Park workers raised a large American flag upside down on El Capitan on Saturday, capturing dramatic photos that quickly went viral. This bold move took place during the annual gathering of photographers and climbers in Yosemite Valley for the natural Firefall at Horsetail Fall, making it an ideal time to grab attention. This weekend marked the last chance to witness the sunlit spectacle of the Firefall for the year.

The Free Speech Centre explains that flying a flag upside down originally signaled distress, often used by ships in extreme danger. Over time, it became a symbol of political protest. According to the U.S. flag code, which isn't legally enforceable, the flag should only be flown upside down in situations of "dire distress" or extreme danger to life or property.

Yosemite National Park employees' decision to raise the American flag upside down was a protest against recent federal job cuts under the Trump administration. These cuts led to the termination of 11 full-time staff members at the park, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. In a statement released after the act, the protesters explained that the purpose was to "disrupt without violence" and draw attention to the fact that public lands in the United States are being "attacked."

The protestors also criticized the Department of the Interior for issuing secretarial orders that prioritize drilling and mining over other uses of America’s public lands. They warned that these orders could lead to the removal of existing land protections and conservation efforts. The layoffs of thousands of federal employees, regardless of their position or performance, are seen as the first step in destabilizing the safeguards in place for these public lands.

The statement continued, “These losses, while deeply personal and impactful, may also be invisible to visitors and the public. We are shining a spotlight on them by putting a distress flag on El Capitan during the Firefall. Think of it as your public lands on strike.” Yosemite employees, who typically live in housing provided by the park, also face uncertainty about their housing stability due to their job terminations.

In what some are calling the "Valentine’s Day massacre," around 2,000 new hires at the US Forest Service and 1,000 employees at the National Park Service were recently laid off. These cuts, which were pushed by Elon Musk’s DOGE, have sparked criticism from lawmakers and advocacy groups, who see them as a threat to public safety and national parks.

Alex Wild, a park ranger for 15 years, was among those laid off. He expressed concern about the lack of staff to protect the parks, saying people might start breaking rules with no one to stop them. He also shared his worries about the future of the parks, saying that without staff, important work to protect nature could be neglected.

Two Democratic senators and six House members from Virginia signed a letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, urging him to reverse the layoffs. They emphasized that these jobs are crucial for protecting the parks, ensuring safety, and maintaining high standards, especially as the busy summer season approaches.

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