MISSION STATEMENT
The March for Science champions
robustly funded and publicly communicated science
as a pillar of human freedom and prosperity.
We unite as a diverse, nonpartisan group
to call for science that upholds the common good,
and for political leaders and policymakers
to enact evidence-based policies in the public interest.
Science protects the health of our communities, the safety of our families, the
education of our children, the foundation of our economy and jobs, and the future we
all want to live in and preserve for coming generations.
We speak up now because all of these values are currently at risk. When science is
threatened, so is the society that scientists uphold and protect.
PRINCIPLES
a) Science that serves the common good. Scientists work to build a better understanding of the world
around us. Science is a process, not a product -- a tool of discovery that allows us to constantly expand and
revise our knowledge of the universe. In doing so, science serves the interests of all humans, not just those in
power. We must protect the rights of every person to engage with, learn from, and help shape science, free
from manipulation by special interests.
b) Cutting-edge science education. We support science education that teaches children and adults to think
critically, ask questions, and evaluate truth based on the weight of evidence. Science is not a field that should
be understood only by a small few -- every person, from every background, deserves an education that
encourages scientific learning alongside the arts and humanities. Science works best when scientists come
from diverse perspectives, and we must work to encourage and support a new generation of scientists that
increasingly includes historically underrepresented groups.
c) Open, honest science communication and inclusive public outreach. Gag rules on scientists in
government and environmental organizations impede access to information that is a public right. Our tax
dollars support this scientific research and withholding their results limits the publics ability to learn from the
important developments and discoveries that we have come to expect from our scientists. In addition,
scientists often rely on the public to help identify new questions that need to be answered.
d) Evidence-based policy and regulations in the public interest. Science observes and asks questions about
the world. Our understanding is constantly changing, presenting us with new questions and answers. Science
gives us the ability to examine these questions, enabling us to craft improved policies and regulations that
serve our best interests. Political decision-making that affects the lives of Americans and the world at large
should make use of peer-reviewed evidence and scientific consensus, not personal whims and decrees.
e) Federal funding for scientific research and its applications. De-funding and hiring freezes in the sciences
are against any countrys best interests. We believe that the federal budget should reflect the powerful and
vital role that science plays in supporting our democracy. We advocate federal funding in support of research,
scientific hiring, and agency application of science to management. This funding cannot be limited to
environmental and medical fields -- scientific support must be inclusive of diverse disciplines.
GOALS
a) Humanize science. Science is first and foremost a human process -- it is conducted, applied, and
supported by a diverse body of people. Scientific inquiry is not an abstract process that happens
independent of culture and community. It is an enterprise carried out by people who seek to expand our
knowledge of the world in the hope of building a better, more informed society.
b) Support scientists. We gather together to stand up for fellow scientists, including those in public service.
We pledge to speak up for them when they are silenced, to protect them when they are threatened and to
provide them with support when they feel they can no longer serve their institutions. Scientists in both public
and private sectors must be allowed to communicate their results freely, without misrepresentation or
distortion and without the fear of retribution.
c) Advocate for open, inclusive, and accessible science. We strive to break down barriers in our own
community. A career in science should be an option for anyone and everyone who is passionate about
discovery. Likewise, the process and results of scientific inquiry should be open to all. Science can ably and
accurately inform the decision-making of all people, from the choices we make as consumers to the policies
we adopt through public debate. By bringing scientists to teach-in at the National Mall and in public spaces
around the globe, we voice our support for science being freely available.
d) Partner with the public. We join together as scientists and supporters of science to embody the
importance of partnerships formed between the lab and the broader community. Science works best when
scientists share our findings with and engage the communities we serve in shaping, sharing, and participating
in the research process. We also look to the public for inspiration about what new questions need to be asked
about the world around us.
e) Affirm science as a democratic value. Science is a vital feature of a working democracy, spurring
innovation, critical thinking, increased understanding, and better, healthier lives for all people. By marching in
Washington, DC and around the world, we take one of many steps to become more active in our communities
and in democratic life. We hold our leaders - both in science and in politics - accountable to the highest
standards of honesty, fairness, and integrity. We gather together to send a message: we will all work to ensure
that the scientific community is making our democracy stronger.
