On March 7, scientists will meet in Washington, DC and Cities Nationwide to defend science in the “stand up for science” rally.
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In The implacable wake of the Trump administration policies targeting the foundation of American sciences, Fridays have taken a new meaning for researchers. Since the end of January, the administration scientific agencies have attempted to freeze the granting disbursements, have dismissed thousands of employees Valentine’s DayThe efforts of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (Deia) censored, had an impact Admissions of higher education and hiring, and proposed to Cut the grant funds.
“This (has already) disturbed the science of the country. It will have its impact, even if everything (is) restored next week, “said Erich JarvisNeuroscientist at Rockefeller University. He added: “We have to be more resistant and rebellious to stop and change this because if we don’t do it, we’re all going to get in trouble.”
The message of these policies was clear: science is attacked.
Feel helpless but determined, John Patrick FloresA student graduated student bioinformatics and computer biology at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill wanted to do something. Inspired by the march for the sciences of 2017, a global movement opposing the position of the Trump administration on climate change and science, Flores asked for advice from one of its organizers, Jonathan Berman. During a zoom call, Berman gave Flores dilapidating the way and why he started the movement. Just after the call, Flores spotted a Bluesky post from another graduate student looking to organize a demonstration. He stretched his hand and they joined forces.
At the beginning of February, Flores had connected to other peers with similar views of Bluesky – a meeting he called the Sérentiage. Together, they trained the researchers’ management team at the start of their career: Colette DelawallaClinical psychologist at Emory University, biologist Emma Courtney at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Sam GoldsteinResearcher in health behavior at the University of Florida and quantitative social sciences specialist Leslie BerntsenThe founder of the Stemedify reflection group, which provides instructions on the application of the social sciences. “Our skills are so complementary to each other,” said Flores, noting that it helped the team get to work quickly.
The team invented and its basic operation Defend science (SUFS) and called for a national day of action. They called on scientists to join their movement on March 7 to take a stand against the Trump administration attack on science. With the help of more than 100 volunteers from the thirty states, the team organized official gatherings in Washington, DC and across the country.
Their mission is to defend science as a public good and pillar of social, political and economic progress. Their platform focuses on three policies: put an end to censorship and political interference in science, obtaining and expanding scientific financing, and Deaia’s defense in science.
The speakers of the Washington rally, DC, include the former director of the National Institutes of Health, Francis Collins, the scientific communicator Bill Nye, and several elected officials and senators who will share their perspectives. Other rallies will include “asking a scientist” panels, students of speakers from the region’s universities and advocacy activities to defend the importance of science.
While SUF rallies are approaching, excitement is built through the scientific community. While some participants plan to travel for hours at their nearest gathering, the SUF team also urges scientists at the national level to join the campus and the workplace in the workplace at local time at noon. Flores noted that his department even postponed a seminar because the guest speaker wanted to attend the Raleigh local rally. Jarvis also noted that he planned to reorganize the schedule of his laboratory to allow those interested to attend.
Christina NowickiA postdoctoral researcher studying engineering bacteria for use in cancer therapy at the University of Chicago, described in recent weeks as “wild times for the scientific field”. As she performs her daily research – whether animal experiences or growing bacteria – policy changes have become a recurring subject in laboratory meetings. After receiving an email from her department by encouraging a group raising to attend their local SUF demonstration, she decided to join.
“I think that is something that the scientific community needed. I had people who stood my hand saying, “We feel so authorized that I go to the rally,” said Flores.
With the basic management team that buzzes with excitement, Flores hopes that this is only the beginning. The team plans to use this momentum to continue the fight for science. “We hope it can serve as a story to inspire the next generation and bring people to defend us.”
“We do this because we care,” he added. “But also, we believe that science is for everyone. Everyone benefits. No matter (what) political affiliation you have, in the end, science is for everyone, and that is why we are fighting. “”