Hundreds of scientists marched under a clear sky in front of a federal office in Los Angeles on Friday as part of a nationwide protest against Trump administration’s policies.
Opposed to the perceived threats to research and science, they accompanied Einstein’s photo, “What will Albert do?”
The rally outside Wilshire attracted graduate students and professors from USC and UCLA and was held under the banner of the movement. This was inspired by something that took place in 2017 shortly after Trump began his first term.
Many scientists feel they are being attacked again. In a few weeks, the second Trump administration cut down work at scientific institutions, including the National Institutes of Health National Science Foundation. The administration also blocked grants and attempted for research institutions.
“We are seeing incredible disruptions and are about to dismantle this country’s highly effective research infrastructure. Judith Courier, a professor of medicine at UCLA, said at a demonstration that took place in the shadow of the office for agents, including veterans.
At least 32 coordinated rallies took place nationwide on Friday, with Washington, DC’s A anchored, with thousands attending.
Duke Han, a professor of psychiatry and family medicine at USC, was not involved in marching for the science movement during Trump’s first stint at the White House, but said he chose to take part in these protests because of the importance of the level of interference. Although science has historically been considered nonpartisan, recent events have fuelled the people on the ground to speak out.
“A lot of us are trying to understand what we can do,” Han said. “Many of us are becoming politically active for the first time or politically active.”
For Han, the influence is not theoretical. He says his institution has become more cautious about giving offers to graduate students. The grant, which was to fund research involved in identifying early signs of Alzheimer’s disease, is five weeks behind. He contacted the NIH contact and believes, “It’s what’s going on above them.”
Several people in the protest said the money used to fund scientific work will pay dividends, and that losing it could have disastrous consequences for biomedical research, pharmaceutical development and more. Young scientists shared their concerns at the event. An international student at UCLA said that the reason she came to the United States was because of a “great opportunity” for research. “But look at the situation right now,” said the 21-year-old undergraduate, originally from India.
Katherine Carlsgod, an associate professor at UCLA at the School of Psychology and Psychiatry, who helped organize the Los Angeles rally, said she was “very upset” by the barrage of change and was concerned about their impact.
Changes in funding for science institutions: “Scientific research and medical research (and) can have a big impact on university and university budgets, the ability to train students and do essentially everything we do.”
Karlsgodt won the wind of stand-ups for his science efforts, but was disappointed when he didn’t see the book’s local gathering. She said some people at UCLA and USC began talking later. One of her students, Dylan Hughes, a doctoral student in the UCLA clinical psychology program, booked the site and they began to try and spread the word. By the evening before the event, 300 people had RSVP’.
An expression of anger and alarm mixed with hope and solidarity at the meeting. Sam Cook’s “A Change Is Gonne Come” was played when many participants mixed in and flashed soft signs to the car speeding up Wilshire Boulevard. Honku elicited cheers. The dogs in the crowd wore signs around their necks that told the “dog” to their necks, a reference to what is called a person led by Elon Musk, who has led many of the Trump administration’s cost-cutting efforts.
The national movement has now begun as a blueski post.
Above. On February 8th, Emory University’s graduate psychology student Colette Delawarra announced online that he was planning a national protest against science. It collided with collective nerves, and other scientists quickly evolved to board and rise up for science.
The reason behind the rally involves ending political interference and censorship. Recovery and expansion of research funding. Advocate for diversity and accessibility.
Hughes, a UCLA PhD student who helped spearhead a local event back in LA, urged people to take the moment.
“This is a really dark time for science and for humanity,” Hughes said.
