In cities across the US on 7 March, thousands of people protested cuts to scientific funding by the Trump administration. In New York City, over a thousand gathered in Washington Square Park, chanting “Fund science not war!” and carrying signs in support of science.
This was one of 30 “Stand Up for Science” rallies in the US, with over 150 events worldwide. Many researchers also walked out of labs in protest.
Since President Trump’s inauguration, billions of dollars in federal funding for scientific and medical research have been cancelled or frozen. Cuts have particularly affected research on diversity, equity, inclusion, climate change, and gender.
Scientists like Ana Vivinetteo, a neuroscientist, attended the New York protest, saying, “Science must be treasured… We have to bring awareness to these problems.” Similar rallies happened in Washington DC and other cities, with prominent speakers like Bill Nye and researchers from around the world voicing concerns.
Researchers fear they may have to leave the US to continue their work. Dennis Robbins, a science educator, expressed disappointment at the need to rally for science. “Someone has to speak up for its meaningfulness in a democracy,” he said.
Vocabulary List:
- Protest /ˈproʊtɛst/ (noun): A statement or action expressing disapproval of or objection to something.
- Funding /ˈfʌndɪŋ/ (noun): The act of providing financial resources for a particular purpose.
- Diversity /daɪˈvɜːrsɪti/ (noun): The state of having a range of different elements or qualities.
- Awareness /əˈwɛrnɪs/ (noun): Knowledge or perception of a situation or fact.
- Research /ˈriːsɜːrch/ (noun): The systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources to establish facts and reach new conclusions.
- Equity /ˈɛkwɪti/ (noun): The quality of being fair and impartial.
How much do you know?
When did the protests against cuts to scientific funding by the Trump administration take place in the US?
Where did over a thousand people gather in New York City to protest the cuts to scientific funding?
How many
Which prominent science communicator participated in the rallies?
What do researchers fear they may have to do if the funding cuts continue?
Who expressed disappointment at the need to rally for science?
The protests were held in 20 cities across the US.
Billions of dollars in federal funding for scientific and medical research have been increased since President Trump's inauguration.
Ana Vivinetteo is a biologist who attended the New York protest.
The rallies were exclusively held in the US.
A neuroscientist and a science educator both voiced concerns at the rallies.
One of the issues affected by the cuts in funding is climate change research.
Scientists fear they may have to leave the US to continue their work due to cuts in funding for research.
Dennis Robbins expressed disappointment at the need to rally for science and emphasized its meaningfulness in a democracy. Someone has to speak up for its .
Ana Vivinetteo stated at the protest that we must bring awareness to the problems faced in .
