February 1, 2017

Organizers announced that the March for Science is scheduled for April 22, or Earth Day. The march is planned to occur on the National Mall, in Washington, D.C., as well as in regional locations. Organizers state the march is to be “celebration of our passion for science and a call to support and safeguard the scientific community.”

Recent changes in government administration partially spurred the March for Science movement. Organizers cite the scientific community’s rising concerns regarding current political trends, specifically, the new administration's executive order on visas and immigration that affects international travel of scientists. Organizers believe that science, as a tool for seeking answers, is mischaracterized in the present political environment, and current government decision making is not built upon scientific evidence.

The goals of the March for Science are to partner with the general public to humanize science, support scientists and the scientific method, and to advocate for open, inclusive, and accessible science. The core principles behind the march’s mission are to support science education and research, and to protect human rights to access to and use of unbiased scientific information.

Some scientific groups cite concerns that the march may politicize scientific issues and portray scientists as an interest group.

The March for Science organizers invite participants that “support scientific research and evidence-based policies” to attend.

Sources: MarchforScience.com, Science