It’s a story as old as democracy itself. A wealthy minority games the system through gerrymandering and other tricks, installs puppets who direct more and more taxpayer resources toward the cabal and deflect more and more civic and financial accountability away from that tiny handful of ogres. Said quasi-elected leaders institute unpopular policies, while fanning the flames of hatred and hysteria in hope of distracting the public. The population catches on and begins to openly defy the popular-vote losers. Demonstrations result, elections follow, the corrupt party is eventually kicked to the curb. We’ve done this before, we’re good at it!
Several days ago, word quickly spread of one such demonstration, this one for science and against the actions and threats posed to it—and against reason and just about every thing else we hold dear—by the new and so far alarmingly erratic administration. One of the organizers told me she is overwhelmed in “the best possible way,” which is a good sign indeed. A few dates have been bandied around, March, April, etc., but nothing definite from anyone actually in charge, yet. Here’s the current webpage and mission statement:
March for Science is a grassroots effort comprised of dozens of independent, nonpartisan coordinators. We celebrate and defend publicly funded and communicated science as a pillar of American freedom and prosperity. Recent rhetoric has inspired us to march on Washington D.C. and in Satellite Marches across the country to demand a common sense resolution:
WE CALL FOR INVESTMENT IN SCIENCE THAT ADVANCES THE COMMON GOOD, AND FOR POLITICAL LEADERS AND POLICYMAKERS TO ENACT EVIDENCE-BASED POLICIES IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST.
We recognize that pursuit of knowledge is a foundational strength of our country. To help defend that foundation, we stand together in solidarity to support this great American experiment.
Whether it’s gag orders for inconvenient scientific facts, outlawing reproductive health, dragging scientists through hearings and show trials, or abandoning legal US workers in overseas airports indefinitely, this nation and its people are rejecting Trump and his harmful policies like infected tissue implanted in the body politic by a modern-day Frankenstein. Not everyone can get up and go to DC, or NY, or Chicago, so, following the raging success of the Women’s March, worldwide satellite pro-science events are now in the early stages of planning, with participants as far away as Antarctica involved. Other than that, for now, follow here on Twitter and/or here on Facebook. You can register for updates on the main page using the form at the bottom. We’ll post more info as soon as it becomes available.