March For Science Houston Expected To Draw Thousands

The Trump Administration, according to many scientists, is hostile to their work and research, and they are not taking it lightly. On Saturday, April 22 — Earth Day — hundreds of thousands of them will take part in marches and rallies around the world to protest cuts in funding and promote public interest in their field, and Houston's event promises to be a big one.

The March for Science Houston, which will begin at 11 a.m. at Sam Houston Park downtown and end at City Hall, is expected to be attended by more than 10,000 people. Speakers include Patrice O. Yarbrough, an investigator with NASA's Human Exploration Research Analog project, Huda Zoghbi, a geneticist at Baylor whose work on brain disorders has garnered worldwide acclaim, and other doctors and scientists who ply their trade in the Houston area.

"I am marching because I want kids to understand the role that science plays in their daily lives, in medicine, the economy, technology and how it will help them discover the truth," Yarbrough, who will represent the Association for Women in Science at the march, told the Houston Chronicle.

People from all walks of life have expressed interest in attending the march, said Madison Logan, a March for Science Houston organizer.

"We have heard from stay-at-home moms, neuroscientists, science teachers, employees of the local energy industry ... it's been a really interesting blend of people," Logan said.

The Houston area is full of medical and scientific institutions and firms, so local march organizers anticipate that the Bayou City rally could be one of the most heavily attended marches in the nation.

"For me, it's about saying we value science, its responsible use, and funding is critical," Adam Johnson, who will be at the march on Saturday, said. "But it's also to let people know that I don't support the anti-science dialogue that I'm hearing now." Johnson is an organic chemist and works for an oil field service company.

"I got into science because I wanted to understand the world around me and wanted to solve problems and answer questions," he said. "I think science has tremendous value, and hopefully more people will come to recognize that as well."

For additional information about March for Science Houston, including, directions, speakers and scheduled events, click here.

— Image courtesy March for Science Houston