A guide who led a tour group through Yellowstone as the government shutdown began accused the National Park Service of “Gestapo tactics” in trying to prevent the visitors from viewing any of the park’s sites.
Tour director Gordon Hodgson told the Livingston Enterprise, a Montana newspaper, that park rangers allowed the group to stay at a lodge for the 48 hours they were allotted under shutdown rules, but refused to let them do anything else in the park — including walk on the boardwalk paths outside the lodge or visit any of the park’s geysers.
At one point he tried to take his tour out and pulled over to let them photograph bison, but a park ranger pulled up and ordered them to get back on the bus
, telling them they could be charged with trespassing.
, telling them they could be charged with trespassing.
“She told me you need to return to your hotel and stay there,” Hodgsontold the Livington Enterprise. “This is just Gestapo tactics. We paid a lot to get in. All these people wanted to do was take some pictures.”
and stay there,” Hodgsontold the Livington Enterprise. “This is just Gestapo tactics. We paid a lot to get in. All these people wanted to do was take some pictures.”
The Obama administration’s decision to close down national parks amid the shutdown has produced a feverish debate in Washington, where lawmakers are demanding an investigation, and around the country, where defying the park shutdown has become an act of civil disobedience for many.
parks amid the shutdown has produced a feverish debate in Washington, where lawmakers are demanding an investigation, and around the country, where defying the park shutdown has become an act of civil disobedience for many.
The administration has made some exceptions. An immigrant-rights rally was allowed to take place on the National Mall in Washington on Tuesday, despite it being park property that is supposed to be closed to the public.
Via: Washington Times
