A woman holds a sign that reads: "Science is not an alternative fact" during the "March for Science" demonstration on April 22, 2017 in Berlin.
(Photo: Sean Gallup, Getty Images)
"Truthfully, I can finally stop being diplomatic. I was worried that there would be 50 people show up," said Caroline Weinberg, one of three co-organizers of the events. "It really took off in the last week or so."
The catalyst for the marches came just four days into the Trump presidency, as federal agencies began instituting gag rules on science programs.
But Weinberg insisted the events -- timed to coincide with the 47th anniversary of Earth Day -- were not partisan. "Science is nonpartisan. It's the manipulation of science as if it's political that got us into this mess," Weinberg said. "There's a stereotype that red states oppose science. That's ridiculous."
The president's motorcade passed protesters on its way to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for Trump's visit with wounded soldiers. One sign visible from the motorcade read: "Stop denying the earth is dying."
For his part, President Trump, who has engaged in Twitter battles with protesters in the past, was more diplomatic on Saturday.
“We should remember that rigorous science depends not on ideology, but on a spirit of honest inquiry and robust debate,” he said in a written statement through the White House press office as he visited Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
Trump said his administration is “committed to advancing scientific research that leads to a better understanding of our environment and of environmental risks.”
But Trump also argued that environmental regulations should not come at the expense of economic growth. “Economic growth enhances environmental protection,” he said “We can and must protect our environment without harming America’s working families.”
March for Science produced posters for supporters of
March for Science produced posters for supporters of the Earth Day rally. (Photo: March for Science)
Satellite marches were held nationwide in cities big and small, including Auburn, Ala., Valdosta, Ga., Honolulu, Clearwater, Fla., Cleveland, Dallas, and Green Bay, Wis., and at Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park.
Among them:
• More than a thousand people marched peacefully in the streets of Gainesville, Fla. “We’re scientists, so we’re orderly,” said Pati Vitt, a plant scientist at the Chicago Botanic Garden in town for work at the university.“We let the signs do the talking.”
• In Asheville, N.C., several hundred people from various parts of Western North Carolina gathered for a local march.Two brothers from Hickory, N.C. said they drove back from spring break with their family a day early to participate in the march. Brian Schoellner, 11, said he is here for the National Parks. "I love animals and want parks to stay around for years to come," he said.
•Hundreds of people have braved pouring rain in Nashville to march through city streets and chant “science, not silence.”
•In Geneva, marchers carried signs that said, “Science — A Candle in the Dark” and “Science is the Answer.”
•In Berlin, several thousand people participated in a march from the one of the city’s universities to the Brandenburg Gate landmark. “We need to make more of our decision based on facts again and less on emotions,” said Meike Weltin, a doctorate student at an environmental institute near the capital.
•In London, physicists, astronomers, biologists and celebrities gathered for a march past the city’s most celebrated research institutions. Supporters carried signs showing images of a double helix and chemical symbols.
Rallies were also held in Australia, Croatia, Switzerland, and New Zealand.
Organizers of the march encouraged scientists in their ranks to wear their lab coats, goggles, stethoscopes, field gear and other work clothes to make their presence known among a group that frequently shies away from public political displays.
People trust science. So why don't they believe it?
"We unite as a diverse, nonpartisan group to call for science that upholds the common good and for political leaders and policy makers to enact evidence-based policies in the public interest," organizers of March for Science said on their website.
A good-natured crowd huddled under drizzly skies, cheering the speakers, musicians and TV personalities who drove home the message to speak out for science.
“We are at a critical juncture. Science is under attack,” said Cara Santa Maria, a TV host and science communicator who served as an emcees of the rally and concert beside the Washington Monument. “The very idea of evidence and logic and reason is being threatened by individuals and interests with the power to do real harm.
"Truthfully, I can finally stop being diplomatic. I was worried that there would be 50 people show up," said Caroline Weinberg, one of three co-organizers of the events. "It really took off in the last week or so."
The catalyst for the marches came just four days into the Trump presidency, as federal agencies began instituting gag rules on science programs.
But Weinberg insisted the events -- timed to coincide with the 47th anniversary of Earth Day -- were not partisan. "Science is nonpartisan. It's the manipulation of science as if it's political that got us into this mess," Weinberg said. "There's a stereotype that red states oppose science. That's ridiculous."
The president's motorcade passed protesters on its way to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for Trump's visit with wounded soldiers. One sign visible from the motorcade read: "Stop denying the earth is dying."
For his part, President Trump, who has engaged in Twitter battles with protesters in the past, was more diplomatic on Saturday.
“We should remember that rigorous science depends not on ideology, but on a spirit of honest inquiry and robust debate,” he said in a written statement through the White House press office as he visited Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
Trump said his administration is “committed to advancing scientific research that leads to a better understanding of our environment and of environmental risks.”
But Trump also argued that environmental regulations should not come at the expense of economic growth. “Economic growth enhances environmental protection,” he said “We can and must protect our environment without harming America’s working families.”
March for Science produced posters for supporters of
March for Science produced posters for supporters of the Earth Day rally. (Photo: March for Science)
Satellite marches were held nationwide in cities big and small, including Auburn, Ala., Valdosta, Ga., Honolulu, Clearwater, Fla., Cleveland, Dallas, and Green Bay, Wis., and at Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park.
Among them:
• More than a thousand people marched peacefully in the streets of Gainesville, Fla. “We’re scientists, so we’re orderly,” said Pati Vitt, a plant scientist at the Chicago Botanic Garden in town for work at the university.“We let the signs do the talking.”
• In Asheville, N.C., several hundred people from various parts of Western North Carolina gathered for a local march.Two brothers from Hickory, N.C. said they drove back from spring break with their family a day early to participate in the march. Brian Schoellner, 11, said he is here for the National Parks. "I love animals and want parks to stay around for years to come," he said.
•Hundreds of people have braved pouring rain in Nashville to march through city streets and chant “science, not silence.”
•In Geneva, marchers carried signs that said, “Science — A Candle in the Dark” and “Science is the Answer.”
•In Berlin, several thousand people participated in a march from the one of the city’s universities to the Brandenburg Gate landmark. “We need to make more of our decision based on facts again and less on emotions,” said Meike Weltin, a doctorate student at an environmental institute near the capital.
•In London, physicists, astronomers, biologists and celebrities gathered for a march past the city’s most celebrated research institutions. Supporters carried signs showing images of a double helix and chemical symbols.
Rallies were also held in Australia, Croatia, Switzerland, and New Zealand.
Organizers of the march encouraged scientists in their ranks to wear their lab coats, goggles, stethoscopes, field gear and other work clothes to make their presence known among a group that frequently shies away from public political displays.
People trust science. So why don't they believe it?
"We unite as a diverse, nonpartisan group to call for science that upholds the common good and for political leaders and policy makers to enact evidence-based policies in the public interest," organizers of March for Science said on their website.
A good-natured crowd huddled under drizzly skies, cheering the speakers, musicians and TV personalities who drove home the message to speak out for science.
“We are at a critical juncture. Science is under attack,” said Cara Santa Maria, a TV host and science communicator who served as an emcees of the rally and concert beside the Washington Monument. “The very idea of evidence and logic and reason is being threatened by individuals and interests with the power to do real harm.
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