PHILADELPHIA: In an effort to speak out against president Donald Trump’s recent policies and actions against scientific advancement, funding and accessibility; thousands of students, educators in science, and many others joined together on a Friday morning for a nationwide walkout. Titled ‘Stand Up for Science,’ the newly established grassroots organization strives to end censorship and political interference in science; secure and expand scientific funding; defend diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in science; as mentioned in their policy goals.

Rallies were held in cities such as Pittsburgh, Seattle and Philadelphia, among others, with the main event being hosted in Washington D.C, with unofficial rallies being held worldwide, in locations such as Paris and the University of Salzburg in Austria. The rally in Philadelphia proved to be one of the most attended, with over two thousand protestors attending.

Trump, having laid off hundreds of workers in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Science Foundation and the Department of Education, has imposed a dangerous precedent for the future of education and scientific advancement in the United States. Deliberately sabotaging the advancement of these crucial institutions delays and incapacitates the U.S economy in the long run, with only healthcare alone accounting for 17.6% of the national GDP.

While these layoffs aren’t being strictly directed towards educational, scientific and medical institutions, the question rises, why did such a walkout occur from these groups? To quote German theologian, Martin Niemöller:

“First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—
    Because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—
    Because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
    Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me,”

Niemöller, 1946

Every working person shares a common interest: providing for themselves and living a comfortable life. When even a single field’s funding and employment are disrupted, others are in danger and uncertainty of the same situation happening to them, and as a result, they must stand up not to just protect themselves, but the common worker’s interest.

Rallies such as Stand Up for Science typically have guest speakers, and today was no exception. Some of the speakers were Dr Montserrat Anguera, Dr Kurt Koehler and councilmember Jamie Gauthier, who all voiced their concerns and disapproval of the Trump administration’s policies, sharing insight on how they affected them in their scientific careers. Dr Montserrat Aguerra in particular shared that one of her grants is “currently in limbo due to the NIH crisis,” slowing down important research and potentially disrupting scientific progress.

With overwhelming support and encouragement from the participating public, the speakers and organizers actively encouraged everyone to address the issues directly and call their elected officials in order to challenge the current policy and demand a continuation in funding for science and education. Without education, healthcare and science, the United States would become a country void of any means to sustain a comfortable environment for the people. Stand up for science!