Image Credit: LivingBetterThroughChemistry, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
On March 7, 2017, thousands of researchers and advocates across the United States participated in widespread protests against significant cuts to scientific funding initiated by the Trump administration. The movement, dubbed “Stand Up for Science,” saw events in over 30 cities nationwide and more than 150 gatherings around the world.
In New York City, a notable assembly took place in Washington Square Park, where more than a thousand individuals rallied under banners promoting the importance of scientific funding. Protesters chanted slogans such as “Fund science, not war!” while holding signs that emphasized the value of science to the nation’s prosperity.
The protests were spurred by substantial federal funding cuts that have affected scientific and medical research since President Trump’s inauguration on January 20. Billions of dollars have been either eliminated or suspended, particularly impacting programs focused on diversity, equity, inclusion, climate change, and gender studies. The cuts have resulted in job losses for thousands of federal employees at essential agencies, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Institutes of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The largest rally occurred in Washington, D.C., attracting thousands of participants, including prominent figures such as Bill Nye and former NIH director Francis Collins. New York City also witnessed a significant turnout, with over 1,500 attendees. Notable speakers included theoretical physicist Lisa Randall and Nobel laureate Harold Varmus, both emphasizing the critical need for continued support of scientific research.
The global nature of the demonstrations highlighted a shared concern among scientists and advocates for the future of research and its vital role in societal progress. The protests served as a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggle to secure adequate funding and support for science in the United States and beyond.
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