March for Science

March for Science
Name	March for Science
Date	2017–present
Location	Worldwide
Type	Protest, Rally
Participants	Scientists, Advocates, Students, Citizens

March for Science is a series of public demonstrations advocating for evidence-based policy, scientific integrity, and public engagement with science. The movement began with mass events in 2017 and has included marches, rallies, teach-ins, and digital campaigns across multiple countries. It brought together a wide range of participants from academia, non-profit organizations, industry, and civic movements to promote the role of science in public life.

Background

The origins trace to reactions following the inauguration of Donald Trump and policy signals from the Administration of Donald Trump that prompted concern among scientists affiliated with institutions such as Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, University of California, Berkeley, and National Institutes of Health. Organizers referenced historical mobilizations like the Women's March (2017), the People's Climate March, and demonstrations associated with the Occupy Wall Street era. Early coordination involved networks connected to groups such as the Union of Concerned Scientists, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and student chapters at universities including Yale University, Princeton University, Columbia University, and University of Oxford. Concerns cited included changes in funding at agencies like the National Science Foundation and the Environmental Protection Agency, as well as disputes involving international agreements such as the Paris Agreement.

Organization and Leadership

Organizational structures combined grassroots chapters, national committees, and collaborations with scientific societies. Leadership roles emerged from activists associated with institutions such as the Salk Institute, the Max Planck Society, and the Royal Society. Coalitions included representation from advocacy organizations like American Geophysical Union, American Chemical Society, Society for Neuroscience, and American Physical Society. Event planning involved coordination with local governments, university administrations, and labor groups including affiliates of the American Federation of Teachers and the Service Employees International Union. Prominent public figures and scientists linked to the movement included individuals with affiliations to Nobel Prize-winning labs, faculty from University of Cambridge, postdoctoral researchers from California Institute of Technology, and communicators associated with outlets such as National Public Radio and BBC News.

Events and Locations

Major inaugural events occurred in capital cities and science hubs, including Washington, D.C., London, Paris, Berlin, Sydney, Toronto, and Tokyo. Hundreds of satellite marches were hosted by universities like University of Michigan, University of Washington, University of Chicago, and research centers such as the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the Los Alamos National Laboratory. Activities included teach-ins at museums such as the Smithsonian Institution and exhibitions at institutions like the Science Museum, London and the American Museum of Natural History. Demonstrations intersected with cultural events near landmarks including the National Mall (United States), the Eiffel Tower, and the Brandenburg Gate. Organizers coordinated logistics with municipal agencies and safety partners including local chapters of the American Red Cross and campus police at institutions such as Columbia University.

Goals and Messaging

Public statements and platform documents articulated aims related to evidence-based decision-making, support for research funding at agencies like the National Institutes of Health and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and protection of science advisors to executives such as the President of the United States. Messaging drew on advocacy templates used by groups like Sierra Club, Greenpeace, and Doctors Without Borders (MSF), while emphasizing civic engagement models exemplified by the League of Women Voters. Communications leveraged social media trends demonstrated during events like the Arab Spring and campaigns associated with Bill Nye and Neil deGrasse Tyson. Educational outreach linked participants to curricula at institutions such as University of California, San Diego and community programs run by the National Parks Service.

Public Reception and Criticism

Coverage and commentary came from a wide range of outlets including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian (London), Le Monde, Der Spiegel, and The Wall Street Journal. Supporters praised alignment with advocacy exemplified by the American Medical Association and policy briefs from think tanks like the Brookings Institution. Critics drew comparisons to politicized movements and questioned organizational neutrality in op-eds by commentators at publications such as National Review and The Atlantic. Debates involved scientific societies such as the American Association for the Advancement of Science over norms of advocacy, and drew scrutiny from lawmakers in bodies like the United States Congress and policy analysts at the Cato Institute. Discussions over inclusivity referenced initiatives by Black Lives Matter and student protests on campuses like University of California, Berkeley.

Impact and Legacy

The movement influenced public discourse around funding priorities at agencies including the National Science Foundation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Environmental Protection Agency. It fostered enduring local chapters at universities such as University of Minnesota and partnerships with organizations like Research!America and Science March on Washington-adjacent coalitions. Subsequent initiatives included voter registration drives modeled after civic efforts by the League of Conservation Voters and policy engagement workshops similar to programs run by the Kavli Foundation. Long-term effects were assessed in analyses by research outlets including Science (journal), Nature (journal), and policy reports from institutions like the RAND Corporation and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The events also contributed to narratives in popular culture via documentaries and coverage on platforms such as PBS and Netflix.

Category:Protests