Libertarians plan to clean-up Hopewell National Park as government shutdown continues
CHILLICOTHE, OH — Kryssi Wichers' car is covered with Libertarian Party stickers, and she ran as a Libertarian candidate in a state election.
On Saturday, her political party will host a "National Park Clean Up" event, while Democrat and Republican legislators continue to wrangle over the government shutdown in Washington.
And despite all that, Wichers says her motivations are "not at all really political."
"We’re trying to be leaders in the community — kind of lead by example," she explained Tuesday. "We should be able to pick up the slack that our government can’t handle."
Wichers is the driving force behind clean up-event.. The event is part of a larger statewide effort being sponsored by the Libertarian Party, one of the largest traditional "third-party" groups on the ballot each year in the United States.
Libertarians are cleaning up the parks, since national park rangers are on furlough during the 17 day-long government shutdown.
"We don’t believe the government should have to hold our hand to go pick up litter," Wichers said. "Why not show what it looks like, for the people to go and do these things, which the government shouldn’t be stealing taxpayer dollars to do anyway?"
Wichers says trash bags, bottled water and potentially snacks will be provided during the clean-up.
The "National Park Clean Up" event will be held from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Saturday at Hopewell Culture National Historical Park on Route 104 just north of Chillicothe. Anyone is welcome to attend, and participants do not have to be a member or supporter of the Libertarian Party to pitch in.
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