This past weekend on April 22nd, thousands of people across the country banded together to march in honor of the importance of science. In Chicago alone there were 40,000 people, according to the Chicago Tribune.
This march was geared towards the scientists around the world who fear that their research and studies are under attack by the future policies of President Donald Trump. Protesters marched together in a peaceful display to publicly share their love for science and demonstrate how important they believe future research will be to the health and well being of the planet and the people that call it home.
Coincidentally, the march for science fell on the same day as Earth Day, and many protesters were out on the streets promoting the protection of the planet as well as the protection of the future of science. The mission of the event was not to blame any political group or bring politics to light, but rather to promote funding for research and scientific study in the future.
The event began with a rally at 10am, and featured four impressive speakers: Karen Weigert, Garry Cooper, Dr. Lee Bitsoi and Emily Graslie. After the rally, the event moved on to a march, and concluded with a three-hour expo. According to the event’s page, the March for Science in Chicago aimed to raise $85,000, but surpassed this goal and raised $96,099.14.
President Trump’s proposed U.S. government budget cuts were one of the reasons behind the popularity of The March for Science. These budget cuts included a 20 percent cut from the National Institute of Health, which sparked controversy amongst the science lovers of the country.
This is the first ever March for Science Chicago, and it marked a change in the country’s attitude towards science and the environment. With growing concerns about global warming, and a lack of governmental intervention in the issue, many citizens are taking it into their own hands. The March for Science is just one of many protests that seem to be cropping up this year while ordinary citizens show the country they still have a voice in their future, and they are not going to be silenced.
Cover photo: March for Science