One man has taken it upon himself to mow and clean up the grounds around the Lincoln Memorial during the government shutdown.
Chris Cox Chris Cox of Mount Pleasant, S.C., pushes a cart near the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013. Cox has taken it upon himself to mow and clean up the grounds around the Lincoln Memorial during the government shutdown and has worked at least 100 hours, since he started eight days ago. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta
Chris Cox Chris Cox of Mount Pleasant, S.C., rakes leaves near the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013. Cox has taken it upon himself to mow and clean up the grounds around the Lincoln Memorial during the government shutdown. Cox has worked at least 100 hours, since he started eight days ago. He said that he’s not there to point fingers, "my message is simple, let’s get together and help." (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta
Chris Cox Chris Cox of Mount Pleasant, S.C., picks up dried leaves he raked near the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013. Cox has taken it upon himself to mow and clean up the grounds around the Lincoln Memorial during the government shutdown. Cox has worked at least 100 hours, since he started eight days ago. He said that he’s not there to point fingers, "my message is simple, let’s get together and help." (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta
Chris Cox Chris Cox of Mount Pleasant, S.C., pushes a cart near the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013. Cox has taken it upon himself to mow and clean up the grounds around the Lincoln Memorial during the government shutdown and has worked at least 100 hours, since he started eight days ago. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
WASHINGTON – Who’s cleaning up around the Lincoln Memorial during the shutdown?
Well, Chris Cox is – but he’s not a federal worker.
Cox is a 45-year-old chainsaw sculptor from Pleasant, South Carolina and he stirred up some attention Wednesday when he showed up at the memorial with a leaf blower and lawn mower.
The Washington Post reports Cox was spotted mowing the lawn at the memorial before he was chased away by police.
But, Cox says, it was too late. He’s already been tidying up around the memorial and Lincoln Reflecting Pool for the last few days.
“I want to encourage my friends and fellow Americans to go to their parks and show up with a trash bag and a rake,” Cox told the Post.
“Show up with a good attitude and firm handshake for the U.S. Park Service.”
Cox says he won’t apologize for what he did and only wants to inspire others to try and make a difference.
