Pictures and Initial report from March for Science
Statements from Scientists Marching wIth Refuse Fascism Contingents
1 Hundreds of thousands of scientists and others marched in defense of science on April 22nd against the attacks on science and truth, its role in government and public policy, and the very integrity of the scientific process itself. Everyone knows these attacks are coming from the Trump/Pence regime. The March for Science – in Washington DC and 400+ cities across the world – said NO! to all this.
The regime’s attacks are widespread and targeted. They are driven by and in service of an ideological and political agenda. The Trump/Pence regime denies overwhelming scientific evidence for global warming. They have defunded the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), threatening billions of people. Humanity already confronts a future of rising sea levels, increased incidence and intensity of famines, droughts and hurricanes, and overall depletion of fresh water resources as glaciers melt – and now this regime’s actions will make that much worse! They have drastically cut funding for major scientific and public-health institutions not directly involved in weapons production. They are driven by a Christian fundamentalist anti-science ideological agenda that is profoundly dangerous. They deny the fact of evolution since it runs counter to a literalist reading of the Bible, and promote the myth of creationism.
This regime’s attacks on science are occurring in the larger context of an assault on truth itself, with ‘fake news’ and ‘alternative facts’ marshaled against any reality that does not serve their interests.
The celebration and defense of science – at a moment when it is under assault by the Trump/Pence regime – is positive and welcome and extremely necessary. This is an extremely important battle in its own right and can contribute to inspiring others, and to the mass resistance needed to oust this regime. For all these reasons, Refuse Fascism strongly endorses the march in defense of science.
2 The Trump/Pence regime’s attacks on science and truth form part of something larger, the consolidation of a fascist America. As Refuse Fascism’s Call to Action begins, “The Trump/Pence Regime is a Fascist Regime. Not insult or exaggeration, this is what it is.”
In less than a hundred days, this regime has instituted open terror against undocumented immigrants, launched an unprecedented attack on the mainstream press as ‘the enemy of the American people,’ asserted executive power against other branches of government that don’t bow to their will and program, and mobilized fascist mobs around these themes. This is a fascist regime with its finger on the nuclear trigger – a grave and serious threat to humanity. This is unprecedented and this is unacceptable!
As the Call to Action states, “Fascism has direction and momentum. Dissent is piece by piece criminalized. The truth is bludgeoned. Group after group is demonized and targeted along a trajectory that leads to real horrors. All of this has already begun under the Trump Regime. History has shown that fascism must be stopped before it becomes too late.”
The fascist regime needs to be DRIVEN OUT before it consolidates! This is the call to action that we are taking to the March for Science, building for it and on the 22nd – projecting out into the world.
3 Join Refuse Fascism in celebrating and defending science, and in broadcasting to the world:
NO! In the Name of Humanity, We Refuse to Accept a Fascist America. Drive Out the Trump/Pence Regime!
As we march in the defense of science, Refuse Fascism contingents are going to manifest in major cities with this message, with bold banners and defiant slogans. Thousands and thousands of NO! posters are available for all marching.
To meet the need of the hour, and from the standpoint of humanity, it matters that these contingents be significantly sizable to have a major impact, not only on the marchers but in proclaiming to millions watching around the world that there is a growing force in this country – sounding the alarm about the fascist character of the regime and mobilizing others to drive it out.
We call on you to join us, and meet this need! Think of the power of this, amidst hundreds of thousands marching for science – in Washington DC, and around the country.
Go to RefuseFascism.org on how you can get involved, including starting the Refuse Fascism contingent in your city, or to join one of the cities, including in Washington DC.