"A Desperate Plea": Bold Display at Yosemite National Park Following Layoffs

 

"A Desperate Plea": Bold Display at Yosemite National Park Following Layoffs

On Saturday, February 22, 2025, a striking sight unfolded at Yosemite National Park—an upside-down American flag hung from El Capitan during the annual firefall event.

While the firefall usually draws crowds to witness the breathtaking glow of Horsetail Falls, this time, six demonstrators rappelled down the iconic granite cliff to display the flag, sending a powerful message. Unbeknownst to many spectators below, this unexpected sight was part of a protest against recent layoffs at the park.

Photographer Brittany Colt, who had been in the area to capture a proposal for her wedding photography business, witnessed the protest and immediately understood its significance. “I knew instinctively that it was a desperate plea to protect our public lands, which are under severe threat of exploitation,” she shared.

The demonstration comes on the heels of recent layoffs, including critical positions such as EMTs, wildland firefighters, and Yosemite's only locksmith. Thousands of job offers were also rescinded after President Trump’s federal hiring freeze. The layoffs not only left many without employment, but also without housing, as many employees lived on-site.

The group of demonstrators issued a statement explaining their actions: "The purpose of this exercise of free speech is to disrupt without violence and draw attention to the fact that public lands in the United States are under attack." Among the group was Gavin Carpenter, a park maintenance mechanic who helped hang the flag.

The statement also criticized the Department of the Interior for prioritizing drilling and mining interests over conservation and land protection, pointing to the layoffs as the first step in destabilizing public land protections.

The flag remained on display for several hours, symbolizing growing concerns about the future of the park. Yosemite, spanning roughly the size of Rhode Island, is one of the most visited national parks in the U.S., attracting millions each year. However, recent plans to implement a reservation system for peak seasons have been put on hold, leaving the park vulnerable to overcrowding and further issues due to severe staff shortages.

Colt expressed concern over what might happen if the necessary park staff were no longer able to perform their duties. “What happens if someone gets hurt and there’s no EMT to respond? What if the roads and campgrounds remain closed due to a lack of personnel? What if the restrooms aren’t cleaned and people leave waste behind?” she said. “We need to make our voices heard.”

The Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks, which represents thousands of National Park Service employees, also condemned the Trump administration's recent demands for federal park employees to submit their weekly accomplishments to an unsecured email address, threatening resignation for noncompliance.

Phil Francis, chair of the coalition's executive council, called the administration’s actions chaotic and harmful. "This mandate is so ridiculous it’s hard to formulate a response," he said. "Those in power seem to have forgotten the law and their human decency."

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