On Saturday, I (and about 50,000 other people) took to the streets in San Francisco to March for Science. This was actually the first event I’ve taken part in on this scope and scale – I’m normally not one to “protest” so visually and vocally, even though the March for Science was non-partisan in nature. There are a few reasons why I chose to march this time, unlike all other opportunities before:
- Timing: first of all, I was able to plan my activities that week so that I was free for all of Earth Day to march. People always get busy, but if I can plan things in advance, I can get stuff done.
- Momentum: I was originally alerted to the March for SF by my friend, Elise, and there were a lot of other Stanford students planning on attending. Close to 200 Stanford students boarded (took over?) the Caltrain at the Palo Alto station Saturday morning, each with their own unique sign or theme.
- Cause: As an Econ major, Education minor, and (recently accepted) Management Science & Engineering Master’s student, I believe strongly in both the importance of science in our global community, and the importance of sharing and utilizing scientific knowledge.
The March for Science that took place all over the world is astounding not just in terms of size and scope, but in the fact that so many scientists and members of the scientific community chose to march. Although science is inherently a nonpartisan art (albeit with flaws in practice, like all endeavors), if partisan interests choose to disregard scientific consensus on major issues that affect billions of lives, it is our civic duty to increase awareness of that which we hold to be truth, and that which is necessary to further improve our shared experience. That is why I chose to March for Science on Saturday.
Andrew Jabara 