"Why People Are Marching For Science: ‘There Is No Planet B’"

"Thousands of people gathered in the rain Saturday on the soggy grounds of the Washington Monument to turn Earth Day into an homage to science. After four hours of speeches and musical performances, they marched down Constitution Avenue to the foot of Capitol Hill, chanting 'Build labs, not walls!' and 'Hey, Trump, have you heard, you can’t silence every nerd!'

The March for Science began as a notion batted around online on Reddit after the Women’s March on Washington, which was held Jan. 21, the day after President Trump’s inauguration. The idea snowballed after it was endorsed by numerous mainstream science organizations, which vowed that it would not be a partisan event. It eventually became a global phenomenon, held in more than 600 cities on six continents — and cheered on by scientists on a seventh, Antarctica.

'We are at a critical juncture. Science is under attack,' said Cara Santa Maria, a science communicator who is one of several emcees of the four-hour rally that kicked off at 10 a.m. 'The very idea of evidence and logic and reason is being threatened by individuals and interests with the power to do real harm.'"

Joel Achenbach, Ben Guarino, and Sarah Kaplan report for the Washington Post April 22, 2017.

SEE ALSO:

"Advocates Fan Out In Global Show Of Support For Science" (AP)

"The March for Science Was A Moment Made For Bill Nye" (Washington Post)

"The Latest: Science Rallies Around The World Draw Thousands" (AP)

"Tens of Thousands Marched For Science. Now What?" (Washington Post)

"Here Are Some of the Best Signs From the March for Science" (Slate)

"Here Are Our Favorite Signs from New York’s March for Science" (The Verge)

"21 of the Best March For Science Protest Signs" (Politico)

"Scientists, Feeling Under Siege, March Against Trump Policies" (New York Times)

"Here Are Some Of The Best Signs From The March For Science In Washington And Around The World" (Washington Post)