Pensacola, Fla. (WKRG) – New artwork at Pensacola’s graffiti bridge is attracting attention for the national movement.
“This is part of a national movement to recognize what’s going on in our national parks and public lands and to solidify with those public lands and employees who have been illegally fired,” said Philip Iversen.
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Philip Iversen is a former bioscience engineer on the Gulf Islands National Coast. He received an email warning him of his firing last month.
Iverson, who volunteered at the park before his internship and eventually worked at the park, said he was unqualified and inappropriate to do the job and that he should not be. He said his employee ratings were different.
“After saying everything I was told is the right thing to do, it’s really like a gut kick,” Iversen said.
Iversen is one of roughly 1,000 National Park Service employees who have ended as part of the Trump administration’s efforts to cut federal spending.
According to the National Park Service, more than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for 431 national parks in the United States, working to maintain local history and create recreational opportunities.
“I think the government needs to cut there, but there have been excessive spending and things like that, but I feel there is a way to do it without compromising our morals and not particularly with things like national parks and public land,” Iversen said.
As part of Graffiti Bridge art, signs are painted asking people to speak up to representatives and donate to the National Park Conservation Association.
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As Iverson is looking for a new job, he says he will continue to volunteer at the park and hopes people will continue to confront our national park.
“I hope people go out to the park this summer. I really do. I hope they get out and support the rangers still there and support these natural, historic and cultural resources we have.
