Billboards popping up across Richmond slam national park cuts

• The billboards warn of the potential consequences of National Park Service layoffs, like longer waits, more trash and dirty bathrooms.

State of play: Shenandoah National Park was among the hardest-hit in the nation by the Trump administration's purge of federal employees at national parks.

• It was one of at least nine historic sites or parks in Virginia that lost staff in the cuts, which led to limited hours or amenities.

Zoom in: Over a dozen of the group's 300 billboards, which they plan to keep up for about a month, are going up in Virginia.

• Most are posted along I-95 or I-64, including the one in Petersburg, but there's also a few on Midlothian Turnpike and Hull Street.
• The rest are in Hampton Roads.

What they're saying: "Some elected officials and unelected billionaires would rather privatize or eliminate our public services," Faiz Shakir, executive director of More Perfect Union, said in a statement. Shakir, who ran Bernie Sanders' 2020 presidential campaign, founded the pro-labor news outlet and its political advocacy arm shortly before the first Trump administration.

• "We believe strongly in the need for great public parks and outdoor spaces that all Americans can enjoy."

The other side: Interior Department spokesperson Katie Martin didn't address the DOGE cuts directly.

• "We are working hard to make this another great year for visitors so that everyone can enjoy the beauty and wonder of the treasured landscapes in our Parks across the country," says Martin. "Park employees nationwide are enthusiastically preparing for an exciting peak season, with a shared goal of delivering exceptional service and unforgettable park experiences."

Editor's note: This story was updated to include a statement from the Interior Department as well as a fuller description of More Perfect Union.