PHOTO ESSAY BY DONNA ACETO | On April 22, tens of thousands of New Yorkers rallied in the March for Science NYC, one of hundreds of similar events held worldwide in response to the antagonistic posture the new Trump administration has taken toward the funding and findings of science in America. The march converged on Columbus Circle, the site of the Trump International hotel.
According to the New York march’s website: “Recent political events are beginning to inhibit the scientific process and scientists across America are deeply concerned about the impact this could have on public health, the environment, and even really cool technological and engineering innovations. We want our community to understand that there is no political agenda in the lab. Scientists uncover facts and disclose them to the public, and at times, new policy or laws are erected due to them. It is imperative to understand, however, that the scientific facts are not created to support new legislation. The facts scientists uncover through their research are published regardless of whether something goes against long-established principles or ways of doing things. Science doesn’t care – it’s the truth. Science is nonpartisan.”
One week after the March for Science actions, several hundred thousand protesters gathered for the People’s Climate March, another wake-up call for the nation to respond to the climate change crisis the world is facing. That march took place on the 100th day of Donald Trump’s presidency.
