Thousands of scientists in the United States have demonstrated against the Trump government’s austerity policy in research. In Washington, New York and other cities, they protested against cuts in their research budgets, job cancellations and doubts about scientific knowledge. The protests were under the motto “Stand Up for Science”.
At the rally in Washington, a NASA employee kept a sign high with the inscription “Good luck to come to Mars, without science”. In doing so, she alluded to the double role of the tech billionaire Elon Musk, who, on behalf of US President Donald Trump, releases people in authorities and ministries and at the same time strives for Mars with his space company SpaceX.
In view of the recent measles outbreak and many opponents of vaccination in the United States, other demonstrators emphasized the importance of vaccinations in the United States. Several participants in the rally in front of the Lincoln memorial in Washington expressed fear for their workplace in view of the throws in ministries and authorities by Musk Sparmium.
“Who will heal you?”
A man who works for an authority and takes care of the protection of fish stocks told the German Press Agency that several talented young scientists had already been fired in his area. A professor of the respected Johns Hopkins University was concerned about research in view of the situation. “Who will heal you if the scientists are no longer there,” said a sign.
Several speakers, including democratic senators, emphasized the importance of science. Senator Chris van Hollen condemned the cuts. They would have nothing to do with efficiency, but would cause damage.
Trump government has ordered cuts and layoffs
Since Trump took office, the US government has made the work of many research institutions much more difficult through cuts, layoffs or announcements and threats. Among other things, the national health institutes Nih and the weather and oceanography authority Noaa are affected.
Experts warn that this means that important research into diseases is stopped or that data could no longer be collected for weather forecasts. The US research institutions have so far been a global leader in many areas and attracted scientists from all over the world.
At the same time as the protests, the US government announced that the renowned Columbia University in New York will cut funding in the millions. The decision was justified with the accusation that the university had not adequately protected Jewish students from harassment and threats on campus.
