On March 7, 2025, thousands of scientists, educators, and citizens took to the streets in more than 30 cities across the United States as part of the nationwide “Stand Up for Science” movement. Organized in response to recent federal policy shifts under the Trump administration, the demonstrations aimed to defend scientific integrity, research funding, and evidence-based policymaking.
The flagship rally was held at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., where approximately 2,000 attendees gathered despite chilly spring weather. Holding signs that read “Science Matters,” “Facts Over Fear,” and “Fund the Future,” participants voiced collective concern over what they described as an erosion of support for the scientific enterprise.
High-Profile Speakers Rally for Science Integrity
The D.C. rally featured a lineup of prominent figures in science and public health. Former National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Dr. Francis Collins delivered a passionate plea for restoring federal research funding and halting politically motivated interference in scientific processes.
“We are not protesting science fiction,” said Collins. “We are standing for the very foundation of informed policy—science based on data, evidence, and rigorous inquiry.”
Joining him were astronomer and science communicator Dr. Phil Plait, and Nobel Prize-winning geneticist Dr. Victor Ambros, both of whom emphasized the critical role of research in driving technological innovation, public health improvements, and national competitiveness.
“Attacks on science are attacks on the future,” Ambros told the crowd. “If we defund discovery, we defund hope.”
Policy Changes Spark Backlash
The rallies were catalyzed by several controversial policy moves enacted during the early weeks of Trump’s second term. Among the most contentious were a freeze on certain NIH and NSF grants pending administrative review, a rollback of diversity and inclusion programs in federally funded laboratories, and the proposed dissolution of advisory panels focused on climate change and public health.
The administration has defended these measures as part of a broader effort to “streamline bureaucracy” and “prioritize research aligned with national interests.” However, critics argue the changes reflect a pattern of sidelining scientific expertise in favor of political expediency.
Scientists from a range of disciplines, including climate science, biomedical research, and engineering, expressed concern that these moves would deter young researchers, disrupt long-term studies, and reduce the country’s global scientific leadership.
Nationwide and Global Solidarity
Demonstrations were held in cities such as Boston, San Francisco, Atlanta, and Chicago, drawing university students, researchers, public health workers, and concerned citizens. In New York City, marchers congregated at Times Square, while in Seattle, protesters held a candlelight vigil outside a local research institute.
The movement also drew international support. In Paris, scientists at the Institut Pasteur held a solidarity rally, and smaller gatherings were reported in Berlin, Sydney, and Toronto—underscoring the global stakes of American science policy.
Organizers stressed that the rallies were nonpartisan and focused on the principle that public policy must be informed by credible, peer-reviewed scientific evidence. “We’re not protesting a party,” said one participant in Chicago. “We’re defending the tools of progress and reason.”
Looking Ahead
The “Stand Up for Science” movement signals the emergence of a newly energized scientific advocacy bloc. Organizers have announced plans to coordinate ongoing public education efforts, legislative lobbying, and community engagement initiatives to keep scientific issues in the public spotlight.
Several advocacy groups are also preparing to challenge recent executive actions in court, citing violations of administrative procedures and federal funding statutes.
Meanwhile, congressional Democrats and a handful of moderate Republicans have expressed concern over the direction of science policy under the Trump administration. A bipartisan group in the Senate is reportedly drafting a resolution to reaffirm support for federal research programs and transparency in scientific advisement.
As the nation grapples with complex challenges—from climate change to pandemic preparedness—the rallies served as a powerful reminder of the role science plays in shaping a safer, healthier, and more informed society.
