Much like the Women's March on Washington, the March for Sciencebecame a national cause with cities across the country participating. Springfield was among them, with a crowd estimatedto be over 700 people this past Saturday.
According to the official website for the cause, the missionwas in part:
" ... a celebration of science. It's not only about scientists and politicians; it is about the very real role that science plays in each of our lives and the need to respect and encourage research that gives us insight into the world. Nevertheless, the march has generated a great deal of conversation around whether or not scientists should involve themselves in politics. In the face of an alarming trend toward discrediting scientific consensus and restricting scientific discovery, we might ask instead: can we afford not to speak out in its defense?"
Amy McEuen, a biology professor at the University of Illinois Springfield, was one of the speakers and organizers locally. She tells us, "I think this is a really challenging time. It's a challenging time when you have to march for facts themselves. I don' think that any scientists thought we would be here." Listen to the entire conversation:
