Shocking anti-American symbol erected at California gas station — but staff claims it was a mistake

A SoCal gas station erected an allegedly anti-American symbol sparking an uproar — but staff there claim it was a mistake.

The Mobil gas station on Spring Street in Paso Robles flew an upside-down US flag on Tuesday.

One employee at the gas station told The Post an employee “who didn’t know how” to put it up did it that way “by accident” on Tuesday. The flag was in its correct state on Wednesday, they added.

An image of the flag went viral on the social media account Libs of TikTok, drawing more than 45,000 views and 1,600 likes.

“Another UPSIDE DOWN American flag spotted flying above a Mobil gas station in Paso Robles, California. Any comment @exxonmobil?” the account wrote.

The upside-down American flag has been used in recent years to represent a protest of the nation from both sides of the political spectrum. The symbol was originally used by Navy sailors to signal distress.

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Commenters lit up the owner of the gas station for the unpatriotic gaffe. “Never ever give your money to a place that disrespects our flag and our country,” one person said.

“Well that’s one way to ruin your business,” conservative social media influencer Sarah Sizzle added. A third person noted the state flag should be upside down “because California is in need of rescue.”

California is known for its exorbitant gas prices. The state has the highest gas price in the continental U.S. as of Wednesday, pricing in at $5.38 per gallon, according to AAA.

Fuel prices in the Golden State have cooled off in recent days, dropping about 40 cents since last month. GasBuddy users reported that the price at the Paso Robles station was $5.39 per gallon on Wednesday.

Paso Robles is a city about 30 miles north of San Luis Obispo in Central California.

The California Post reached out to Mobil for comment.