Ian Brickey, ian.brickey@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Reports have emerged that a former National Park Service employee could face criminal charges for a free speech demonstration on the park’s famous El Capitan cliff.
Shannon “SJ” Joslin, who identifies as nonbinary, was fired by NPS last week after participating in the display of the pink and blue transgender pride flag from the granite rock formation May 20 in protest of the Trump administration’s moves to remove references to transgender people from NPS sites and writings. On Tuesday, E&E News reported that the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California was evaluating potential criminal charges against Joslin.
Joslin’s possible prosecution is notable, as previous demonstrations on El Capitan have not resulted in criminal charges. Additionally, Yosemite acting Superintendent Ray McPadden signed an order May 21, one day after Joslin’s demonstration, banning flags or banners from the mountain and other areas of the park, with possible penalties of up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for groups.
The Trump administration has taken multiple actions in recent weeks to scrub references to marginalized groups and challenging moments in American history from NPS websites and signage.
In response, Jackie Ostfeld, director of Sierra Club’s Outdoors for All campaign, released the following statement:
“El Capitan has frequently been used as a site for demonstrations of free speech. Bringing criminal charges against SJ Joslin for exercising the first amendment right to freedom of speech enjoyed by all Americans would be an act of intimidation intended to have a chilling effect on others exercising their rights. National parks help tell the story of America, and essential to that story is the freedom of speech.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.