Claim: Upside-Down US Flag Displayed in Yosemite National Park as Protest
An Instagram post shared on February 23 by The Other 98% featured an image of an inverted American flag hanging beside El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. The post’s caption asserted that National Park Service rangers orchestrated the display as a traditional distress signal due to "extreme emergencies." The post quickly gained traction, accumulating over 500,000 likes within four days, and similar claims proliferated on Threads.
Investigation and Findings:
The Department of the Interior acknowledged the display, confirming its temporary nature. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that National Park Service employees were involved. The incident followed layoffs of approximately 1,000 National Park Service employees on February 14, attributed to former President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at reducing the size of the federal government. Since Trump assumed office, tens of thousands of federal employees have been laid off, including personnel from the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Federal Aviation Administration.
The image accompanying the Instagram post did indeed depict a protest against Trump’s layoffs, as evidenced by its inclusion in a San Francisco Chronicle article about the February 22 event at Yosemite National Park.
Official Response:
The Department of the Interior communicated to USA TODAY its awareness of the "unauthorized and inappropriate display" at the park. Spokesperson J. Elizabeth Peace stated, "The Department and National Park Service does not condone such actions, and the flag was removed as soon as possible. We take the protection of our national parks seriously and will not tolerate behavior that undermines their integrity."
Employee Involvement:
Yosemite National Park maintenance mechanic Gavin Carpenter admitted to supplying the upside-down flag. He expressed to the San Francisco Chronicle the urgency of preserving the parks, stating that the ongoing staff reductions were unsustainable for maintaining the parks’ operation.
Flag Code:
The U.S. Flag Code specifies that the national flag should only be displayed upside down "as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property."
Context and Usage:
It is important to note that the upside-down flag has been employed in protests against former President Joe Biden’s administration as well. It was observed during the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol and following Trump’s conviction on 34 felony counts in May 2024. This demonstrates the symbol’s use across various political contexts to express dissent and perceived crisis.
Conclusion:
The claim that an upside-down American flag was displayed in Yosemite National Park as a distress signal is true. National Park Service employees were involved in the display, which was intended as a protest against layoffs occurring after Trump took office. While the Department of the Interior condemned the action and removed the flag, the event highlights the concerns of park employees regarding staff shortages and their impact on park preservation. It’s also relevant to understand that the upside-down flag is a loaded symbol which has been used to demonstrate dire distress in instances of extreme danger and that in recent years it has been used as a form of political protest across different administrations.
The story of the upside-down flag at Yosemite reveals a complex interplay of political protest, employee grievances, and the symbolic power of national emblems. The act, while condemned by official channels, underscores the deep concerns of park employees regarding the impact of staff reductions on the preservation and maintenance of national parks. The use of the inverted flag as a distress signal taps into a long-standing tradition, yet its adoption in contemporary political discourse has added layers of complexity to its meaning. Its use, not just in this instance but across various political contexts, serves as a potent reminder of the deep divisions and anxieties present within American society. This incident at Yosemite National Park is more than just a fleeting moment; it is a visual representation of broader societal tensions and the challenges faced by those entrusted with safeguarding national treasures.
