February 13, 2017

"On 22 April, empiricists around the country will march for science"

"The grassroots team coordinating the March for Science in Washington, D.C., have now set a date: 22 April. And they are inviting organizers in cities around the world to lead parallel demonstrations."

By Lindzi Wessel  Feb. 1, 2017 in Science Magazine

On 22 April, empiricists around the country will march for science

_{Photo: Sarah Wagner}

... "Organizers have said they want to appeal to anyone who, as its mission statement puts it, “champions publicly funded and publicly communicated science as a pillar of human freedom and prosperity.” Organizers have emphasized that the march is not just for practicing scientists, but for “anyone who believes in empirical science.”

The event, at first just an idea bouncing around social media, gained real life last month after a website, Twitter account, and public Facebook page—now with more than 300,000 likes—sprang up over the course of a few days. An affiliated “secret” Facebook group attracted almost 800,000 members in less than a week, and more than 70 Twitter handles have popped up to promote sister marches across the country.

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Scientists began organizing only 3 days after President Donald Trump took office, as alarm—sparked by a campaign that in many ways appeared to dismiss the contributions of scientific research—ignited over Senate hearings on controversial cabinet picks and mandates curtailing public communication from scientific agencies. Many scientists took the administration’s promotion of “alternative facts” and continued shunning of scientific leaders as signs that science may come under attack.

It’s not the first time that Trump’s actions have triggered activism among scientists, a group that, as a whole, has traditionally couched itself as nonpartisan. At the December 2016 meeting of the American Geophysical Union in San Francisco, California, researchers rallied together to protest climate change doubters among Trump’s cabinet picks. And at the Women’s March on Washington, dozens of lab coat–clad scientists marched together, armed with pro-science signs.

But the march has spurred debate about how its message should be framed—and whether it is even a good idea. Some fear a demonstration led by researchers might only serve to paint scientists as an interest group, further politicizing scientific issues. And at least one veteran science lobbyist has urged organizers to make sure it’s a march for science, not scientists." ...
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