Marching on Washington DC, April 22nd & April 29th

by Duane Nichols on March 4, 2017

"Science Matters" every day, every hour, ...

At the People’s Climate March, help launch a new drive for a 100% renewable energy economy on April 29

Letter from Bill McKibben, Co-Founder of 350.org, March 1, 2017

Dear friends,

I don’t know if you’re like me, but there are days when the sound of Mr. Trump’s voice just makes me want to curl up in a fetal position.

The losses we’ve suffered just in the past week, as the new EPA head started gutting water and air protections, makes me think of the earlier generations of activists who worked so hard to get these laws enacted. Last night I wanted to shout at the TV when, instead of mentioning climate change, he boasted about approving new pipelines.

But then I remind myself that, given the situation, we’re off to a pretty good start fighting his efforts. The Women’s Marches and the airport protests were remarkable moments, and they put a dent in his momentum. We’ll need much more of this kind of resistance.

Specifically, for those of us focused on the climate questions that will define the future of our planet, we need to be fixing on the end of April. On April 22, Earth Day, scientists will march, and I hope the rest of us will be engaging our community: we’ve got to keep explaining to all our neighbors that climate change is the furthest thing from a hoax.

Then on April 29, which falls on about the hundredth day of the new administration, we need to gather in Washington DC and across the country for the People’s Climate March.

When we did this in New York in 2014 it helped propel the plane towards the Paris climate accords. This time we need—powerfully—to make clear that we haven’t gone away, and that we will not let the U.S. retreat.

It will be a solemn day—we’ve just come through the hottest year ever measured on this planet, after all. But it will also be a joyful and rousing one: we’ll be celebrating the launch of a new drive to make our nation run on a 100% renewable energy economy that works for all. We know Trump won’t support it, but we’re getting on with the job at hand: demonstrating the political will for climate justice so that every other politician sprints as far ahead as possible.

Here’s the place to sign up: 350.org/PCM2017. But we need you doing more than signing up and showing up. We need you, as always, organizing: getting others to come, filling buses, creating art, suggesting themes.

We need each other, really. That’s what a movement is. Thanks, Bill McKibben


The 350.org is building a global climate movement. Become a sustaining donor to keep this movement strong and growing.

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Updated: Which science groups have endorsed the March for Science?

From an Article by Lindzi Wessel, American Association for the Advancement of Science,  February 28, 2017

The March for Science, set for 22 April, is creating a buzz in the scientific community. The march arose as a grassroots reaction to concerns about the conduct of science under President Donald Trump. And it has spurred debate over whether it will help boost public support for research, or make scientists look like another special interest group, adding to political polarization.

Leaders of many scientific societies have been mulling whether to formally endorse or take a role in the event. ScienceInsider has been tracking what they decide, and here’s what we know as of 28 February (most recent updates at the top of each section):

Say they are supporting the march

On 28 February, the Society for Freshwater Science (SFS) in Logan, Utah, formally endorsed the march. “For those SFSers that march, SFS will be preparing a series of short statements (suitable for signs, buttons, t-shirts) that call particular attention to recent efforts to roll back environmental protections for U.S. freshwaters (WOTUS and the stream protection rule) that are in clear disregard of the best available science,” SFS President Emily S. Bernhardt and President-elect Colden Baxter wrote in a statement.”We would appreciate your creative suggestions for pithy, eye catching and reasonable statements.”

On 23 February, some major groups—including AAAS (publisher of ScienceInsider), which has about 100,000 members, and the American Geophysical Union (AGU), which has about 60,000 members—announced they are signing on. The two organizations were on a list of 25 formal partners unveiled by the March for Science.

“We see the activities collectively known as the March as a unique opportunity to communicate the importance, value and beauty of science,” AAAS CEO Rush Holt wrote in a statement on the website of the Washington, D.C.–based organization, which bills itself as the largest general science society in the world. Participation “is in keeping with AAAS’ long-standing mission to ‘advance science, engineering and innovation throughout the world for the benefit of all people.’”

“This is a unique moment for AGU, the scientific community, our nation, and the world,” AGU President Eric Davidson and President-elect Robin Bell wrote in a statement on the website of the organization, also based in Washington, D.C. The March “presents … a very real, high-profile opportunity to call on our elected leaders to remember the role science plays in our society and to support scientific innovation and discovery, and the people and programs that make it possible,” wrote AGU CEO Chris McEntee.

The details of how the endorsing organizations will be involved in the march are still being worked out, AAAS CEO Rush Holt told ScienceInsider. For instance, possible financial support from AAAS has not yet been discussed, he says. Holt acknowledged concerns that the march could lead to a political backlash if it is perceived primarily as a partisan attack on the Trump administration. But he says “I would be more concerned about having a big rally on behalf of science and our not being there.”

Here are the groups included on the 23 February list of formal March for Science partners:

  • Earth Day Network (Coordinates annual Earth Day events; more than 50,000 partner agencies)
  • 314 Action (newly formed group to help scientists run for office)
  • 500 Women Scientists (newly formed activist group)
  • American Anthropological Association (about 10,000 members)
  • AAAS (more than 100,000 members)
  • American Association of University Professors (over 50,000 members)
  • American Geophysical Union (about 60,000 member)
  • American Society for Cell Biology (about 9000 members)
  • Association for Research in Vision & Ophthalmology (more than 11,000 members)
  • Center for Biological Diversity (more than 1.2 million members and activists)
  • Cochrane Collaboration (more than 38,000 members)
  • Consortium of Social Science Associations (more than 100 member organizations)
  • Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO (coalition of 22 national unions)
  • Entomological Society of America (about 6000 members)
  • International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, AFL-CIO (more than 80,000 members)
  • League of Extraordinary Scientists (science education group)
  • National Center for Science Education (advocates for teaching scientific issues like evolution and climate change in schools)
  • National Coalition of Native American Language Schools and Programs (supports schools using Native American languages)
  • The Natural History Museum (mobile museum)
  • New York Academy of Sciences (20,000 members)
  • NextGen Climate America (advocates for low-carbon energy production)
  • Research!America (380 member organizations)
  • Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (about 6000 members)
  • Science Debate (advocates for inclusion of science issues in election debates)
  • Sigma Xi (more than 110,000 members)
  • Society for Conservation Biology North America (more than 5000 members)
  • Union of Concerned Scientists (about 100,000 members)
  • The American Statistical Association (ASA) in Alexandria, Virginia. ASA “endorses the stated purposes of the 22 April March for Science as a celebration of our passion for science and a call to support and safeguard the scientific community,” reads a statement on ASA’s website (nearly 19,000 members).
  • The American Association of Physical Anthropologists (AAPA) supports the march and canceled a plenary lecture at their annual meeting, scheduled in New Orleans, Louisiana, this year, so that organization leaders can accompany conference attendees to the local march, AAPA Vice President Josh Snodgrass told Science (about 1700 members).
  • The Association for Psychological Science in Washington, D.C. “We stand with all of the other disciplines in the scientific community in support of the march and are helping to get the word out via social media. And we are brainstorming about other ways to help,” the organization’s executive director, Sarah Brookhart, wrote in an email (about 33,000 members).
  • The American Sociological Association in Washington, D.C., has endorsed the march in a statement on its website (more than 13,000 members).

Say they are thinking about it, but no decision yet

  • The Society for Neuroscience (SfN) in Washington, D.C. (about 38,000 members).
  • The Optical Society (OSA) in Washington, D.C. (more than 20,000 members).
  • The American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB) in Rockville, Maryland. (about 4000 members).
  • The American Institute of Physics (AIP) in College Park, Maryland. (a federation of 10 societies that, combined, have more than 120,000 members).
  • The American Chemical Society (ACS) in Washington, D.C. (more than 157,000 members).

Other

So far no organizations have explicitly come out against the march. But  the American Institute of Physics Chief Executive (Robert Brown) suggested in an email that any “inflammatory demonstrations will cause negative retaliations.”

See also: https://www.marchforscience.com/

{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }

Anne Wolf March 9, 2017 at 7:17 pm

I want to participate in the march for the environment but understand there will be a march on April 22nd and also on April 29th.

Why are these marches being held on different weekends? Wouldn’t it be much more impactful to have them combined into one really large march?

I cannot possibly attend both as I’m from out of town and I’m sure that is the circumstance for the majority of supporters.

Anne Wolf

Reply

Duane Nichols March 10, 2017 at 12:29 am

Dear Anne,

I too would like to participate in both the April 22nd March as well as the April 29th March.

The Earth Day March on April 22nd is intended for people who what to defend the science of global warming, as a specific reaction to the Trump Admininstration that mostly denies that mankind is the major factor. The participants here will mostly be people in the science and technical fields.

The Global March on April 29th is to tell the world that global warming and climate change are of such critical importance that EVERYONE should change their life style and political action to save the planet!

They both will be major events and you will not regret attending either. Climate change turns out to be both a scientific and moral issue. Best wishes and thanks for asking.

Duane Nichols

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Mike Tidwell March 11, 2017 at 2:16 pm

Dear Friends,

Last week, the new head of the Environmental Protection Agency said carbon emissions don’t cause climate change — contradicting NASA and 97 percent of the world’s scientists. This is not normal.

The Trump administration has made it clear that it will do whatever it takes to dismantle climate protections and bury our voices.

But they do not realize this: We are seeds of the most dedicated and strongest kind. Since day one of Trump’s presidency, the most beautiful and resilient shows of resistance have continued to sprout up and grow across America. Mark my words: our resistance has just begun.

Join the national People’s Climate March on April 29th in Washinton, D.C. On the hundredth day of Trump’s presidency we’ll continue to spread our roots of resistance as we come together across issues to march on our nation’s capital. Will you join us?

In 2014, nearly half a million of us took to the streets of New York City in the most powerful climate march of our time.1 We helped propel the Paris Climate Accord forward and organized for many other local climate victories across the country.

Every victory we’ve worked for is under attack with this new administration — even victories that make clear economic sense, like energy efficiency programs and the rule to capture excess methane from drilling on public lands. It’s now up to all of us to show that we’re not going away.

March with us on April 29th to send the White House and Congress the clear message that we’re not backing down. We’ll continue to fight for our climate, our communities, and our shared future.

We’ll march not just to resist — but to rise above and defeat the threats that Trump continues to unravel. The sound of our feet clicking together will echo our powerful show of unity, and then we’ll bring our unmatched fervor and dedication back to our local communities.

We’ll march to show the Trump administration: We will never stop fighting.

The People’s Climate March will not end in the streets. We’ll carry the drumbeat forward, as we march into our representative’s offices to demand action on climate. As we march into meetings before our local board of supervisors to insist on protection from fossil fuel companies. As we march into our communities to inspire others and ignite the passion that will continue to drive our movement forward.

The threat of Trump’s administration is too big for any of us to take on alone. Stand up with us, together, on April 29th in Washington, D.C. and wear down your marching shoes a bit further. We need you with us.

I hope to see you there,

Mike Tidwell, Director
Chesapeake Climate Action Network
http://chesapeakeclimate.org/

1. “Climate Change March to Descend on Washington in April.” January 2017. Inside Climate News.

Reply

Alessandra March 16, 2017 at 1:37 pm

Hello Everyone,

When I first heard of the March for Science that would take place on April 22, 2017, I was elated. However, every single time I’ve searched it on Google there seems to be another article from a popular news source that slams it. According to many, a lot of scientists have labeled it a “bad idea.” They’ll say that science and climate change “should not be politicized.” Yet, I cannot help but think that climate was politicized the moment Trump said that it was hoax invented by the Chinese; or the day that he announced Scott Pruitt would head the EPA.

Wouldn’t now be the time to protest? I’ve seen a lot of articles say that the current administration would retaliate against the scientific community if they marched, but when would be a good time to march then? Is it worth it to wait for “the right time to march?” We are in a race against time and climate change. Women marched in January (I was there), and they did retaliate by trying to attack our reproductive rights, does that mean that we should not have marched? No.

I live in Miami, FL, possibly one of the most climate threatened cities in the US. Our own governor does not allow the term “climate change” to be used in his chambers. Are we to wait till the next election cycle to do something about this? If you’re on this page, and you’re doubting the marches, don’t.

When it has come to people making their politicians hear them, on whatever issue it may be, it has always been through demonstration and brazen dissent. Now is the time to convene and let this administration know that the world is watching. Many are scared that republicans will retaliate and that issues about science and climate change that might be presented to congress will lose republican votes but there is nothing to lose as we never had their votes to begin with. The scientific community is full of our best and brightest, they should also be our bravest. We must continue to resist; this is how we do that. I hope many of you will join the march.

Alessandra

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May Boeve April 10, 2017 at 7:49 pm

Friends,

There’s nothing Donald Trump hates more than mass protest – and he hates it because it works.

Since inauguration, we’ve seen what people power can achieve: Trumpcare? Withdrawn. Muslim ban? Blocked. Now Trump’s entire fossil fuel agenda is next.

On Wednesday, movement leaders will gather on a live broadcast to discuss how you can be part of the Peoples Climate March, which is the next step in this historic moment. The session starts at 8 pm Eastern, 5 pm Pacific on April 12 and you can sign up here:

https://peoplesclimate.org/?source=350

We’ve invited a powerful lineup of speakers: Van Jones from Dream Corps, Keith Ellison from Congressional Progressive Caucus, Jordan Marie Daniel from Rising Hearts, and Rabbi Shoshana Meira Friedman from Massachusetts Interfaith Coalition for Climate Action.

The Peoples Climate March is a full-scale mobilization to defeat Trump’s fossil fueled agenda, push forward our own vision of a clean energy economy, and build real political power. It’s happening on April 29 in Washington DC and across the USA.

100,000 people have already signed up to march. 250 sister marches are being planned across the country. Students, workers, faith communities, Indigenous nations, and environmental groups are all joining together to make this day historic – there’s even a delegation of fisherman traveling to DC by boat.

We want you with us. If you want to learn more about why the Peoples Climate March is so important right now and how you can get involved, sign up to join the mass call on Wednesday, April 12 at 8 pm Eastern/5 pm Pacific.

Together – and only together – can we chart another path for America: away from Trump’s agenda for a cruel, polluted and divided country, and towards a clean energy economy that works for everyone.

At the end of the first 100 days of Trump’s administration, April 29 is our moment to make it resoundingly clear that the people who stand for climate action, justice, and jobs are a force too great to ignore.

It will take all of us. But together, we can change everything.

May Boeve, 350.org

Reply

SCIENCE Marches April 14, 2017 at 3:06 pm

Why the rest of the world is marching

Science News Staff, Science, April 14, 2017

Vol. 356, Issue 6334, pp. 119

Summary

What started out as a March on Washington, D.C., has grown into well over 400 marches in more than 35 countries on 22 April.

Science correspondents interviewed more than a dozen international participants from around the world about their reasons to join and their hopes and expectations for the march.

Some are worried about science under the Trump administration; others have local concerns; many feel that science and reason are under threat.

For the full text of these and other interviews see http://scim.ag/2o13lPz.

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