Dr. Shannon Joslin, a biologist and bat researcher who has passionately worked at Yosemite for years as an employee of the National Park Service, was recently terminated by the Trump administration. On their own free time, SJ and six others climbed El Capitan in Yosemite and took part in a tradition of hanging a flag at the top. Hanging flags off El Capitan has occurred in the past without consequences. In February, demonstrators hung an upside-down U.S. flag, often symbolizing a distress call, on El Capitan to draw attention to the mass firings by the Trump administration. And last year, a group “Climbers with Palestine” hung a flag in protest of the war on Gaza.
Why was Dr. Joslin fired? For having the temerity to hang a Trans Flag on El Capitan. Dr. Joslin planned the climb and participated in the action on their own free time. They also took down the flag voluntarily after a couple of hours. They never thought the display of acceptance and love would result in their losing their job. But in an effort to make an example out of them, the Trump administration is not only firing Dr. Joslin, they are threatening criminal charges.
The Trump administration has tightened restrictions around protest in an effort to suppress speech criticizing the government. And the day after the trans flag was displayed on El Capitan, Yosemite’s acting superintendent Ray McPadden signed a rule prohibiting people from hanging large banners, flags, or signs in nearly all areas of the park.
The penalty? Up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for groups.
The Trump administration is trying to suppress, intimidate, and silence the LGBTQ community. Their efforts to eliminate transgender people continue, to the point where they are removing any and all references to us from official sites and documents. An example is the removal of all references to “transgender”, “bisexual”, or “queer” from the Stonewall website. But now, they are even going after those who would show support for us.
Please follow the link below and sign the petition:
https://sign.moveon.org/petitions/joslin
Remember, all that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing.
Comments
they are threatening criminal charges
I signed, but I'm told the these kind of online petitions don't carry much weight. But a little is better than nothing.
I almost wish this would go to court. It sounds like the kind of case the ALCU would love to sink it's teeth into. The criminal charges are bogus.
The rule wasn't in effect the day the flag was hung.
Hugs
Patricia
Happiness is being all dressed up and HAVING some place to go.
Semper in femineo gerunt
Ich bin ein femininer Mann
As a card carrying member of the ACLU……..
I agree with you, but the fact that the law was not in effect until after the incident has never stopped the Trump administration from trying to use the law to further their political objectives. It always strikes me as hilarious that a man who has run around for over a decade accusing his political opponents of “weaponizing” the Justice department, is doing exactly that. Not to mention that he has spent years ranting about how he would exact his vengeance on those who oppose him, and he is doing exactly that also.
Case in point, the man who was convicted of falsifying information on loan applications in order to get money from multiple banks, the same man who falsified the value of his properties in order to show a loss on his taxes, is now going after a governor of the Fed Board for allegedly stating that two different residences would be her primary residence in order to get a better interest rate on a mortgage. Takes a real criminal to recognize when someone else does it I guess, lol! All of this based on an unsubstantiated online accusation by one of Trump’s cronies.
The man will walk over anyone, and cross any line, break any law, as long as it benefits him personally.
D. Eden
“Hier stehe ich; ich kann nicht anders. Gott helfe mir.”
Dum Vivimus, Vivamus
Authoritarianism
Is now rampant in the government of the USA. I just hope that there is a will and a way to stop it before it has sunk its roots any deeper into your society. I can only observe and weep from afar.
Theodore Roosevelt must be turning in his grave at the desecration being wreaked on the National Parks that he established. I doubt that Trump has ever set foot in one.
I have signed the petition but my voice will probably not count since I am a foreigner.