Across the city of Sitka, U.S. flags were upside down on flag poles on Wednesday. Flags were flown in the “distress” position in front of Sitka City Hall, the Forest Service and Park Service offices, as well as at the airport.
It didn’t appear to be an officially sanctioned government activity, but was likely the work of a person or persons objecting to the government jobs being reduced by President Donald Trump through a series of executive orders.
Flying the flag upside down is recognized as a signal of distress when used in maritime situations. Choosing to fly the flag upside down as a form of political protest was something done by Democrats during the first Trump Administration and also by conservatives during the Biden Administration and in response to Trump being indicted in August, 2023.
So far, it appears eight federal jobs were cut in Sitka for things like trail work, tribal relations, and subsistence fish observation. It is being reported widely that across the Tongass National Forest, which covers most of Southeast Alaska, 90 positions were cut, and 120 Forest Service jobs may be eliminated statewide.
Since the 2001 Roadless Rule was enacted, no measurable timber harvesting has taken place in the Tongass, which has been turned into what is essentially a national park.
