Gathering to Defend Science: March Against Trump's Assaults
In a united front, early-career researchers are set to organise the Stand Up for Science rallies on March 7, 2023, in cities across the United States. The policy goals of these rallies focus on securing and expanding scientific funding while actively promoting diversity and accessibility in science.
The organisers, led by Colette Delawalla, Emma Courtney, and Sam Goldstein, believe that science is inherently political, though not necessarily partisan. They aim to prevent federal research funding cuts that threaten scientific progress and innovation, emphasising the importance of such funding for public benefits like vaccine development and renewable energy technologies.
Protecting diversity and inclusion initiatives in the sciences is another key focus. The organisers advocate for the continuation of support for underrepresented groups and international students in research environments. They combat political attacks on science and censorship, which undermine the democratic and innovative ecosystem supported by free scientific inquiry.
The organisers engage the public directly through grassroots actions, such as teach-ins, open lab days, and demonstrations in community spaces like churches and farmers markets, to increase awareness and support for science funding. They rebuild public trust by sharing personal stories and explaining research in accessible terms, addressing misconceptions that can lead to skepticism and funding cuts.
The organisers see these efforts as part of a larger fight to maintain democracy and innovation through sustained science funding, while also fostering an inclusive scientific community that provides access and opportunity to historically underrepresented groups. They aim to pressure legislators to maintain or increase federal science budgets, particularly in the context of proposed budget cuts and political challenges.
The rallies will take place in cities such as Washington, D.C., Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, Seattle, Nashville, Austin, and more. The organisers have received strong support from within the scientific community and emphasise the role of science as a unifying force in addressing larger societal challenges and defending democratic values.
Delawalla expressed her frustration and determination to make a difference, highlighting the need for scientists to take a stand in the face of adversity. The organisers encourage individuals to spread the word about the rallies, get involved in advocacy efforts, and show their support for science in any way they can.
In a recent interview with Scientific American, the lead organisers shared their motivations for stepping into activism and the importance of uniting in support of science. The organisers of Stand Up for Science include early-career researchers who acknowledge the risks associated with their activism but remain committed to standing up for their beliefs.
The organisers also discussed their connections to the 2017 March for Science and the importance of building a sustained movement that can drive policy change. Stand Up for Science outlines ambitious policy goals on their website, including securing and expanding scientific funding, ending censorship and political interference in science, and promoting diversity and accessibility in the field.
The organisers of Stand Up for Science are driven by a shared passion for science and a desire to protect its integrity and impact on society. They look forward to a strong turnout for the upcoming March 7 rallies.
- Colette Delawalla, Emma Courtney, and Sam Goldstein, the lead organizers of Stand Up for Science, are not just advocating for increased scientific funding and diversity in science, but also for the integration of science in health-and-wellness therapies and treatments.
- In the pursuit of their ambitious policy goals, these early-career researchers are incorporating science into various community spaces like churches and farmers markets, demonstrating its potential in health-and-wellness therapies and treatments, and promoting its importance in society.
