Visitors to Yosemite National Park were startled to see an upside-down American flag atop El Capitan—a rare symbol of distress. The protest, carried out by National Park Service employees, was aimed at highlighting job cuts under the Trump administration. The inverted flag, allowed only in cases of extreme danger, was meant to draw attention to the loss of 1,000 NPS jobs. Park workers fear these cuts threaten safety, maintenance, and the overall park experience.

Yosemite mechanic Gavin Carpenter, who provided the flag, said the protest was about protecting public lands: “We’re losing staff, and this isn’t sustainable.”

Photographer Brittany Colt shared the image online, noting the toll these cuts have taken on essential services like Search and Rescue and sanitation.

In response to public backlash, the administration later pledged to restore 50 positions and hire nearly 3,000 seasonal workers—though many worry it’s not enough.

The upside-down flag sent a powerful message: America’s parks are in distress.