March for Science: South Bend

This past weekend, over a thousand people took to the streets of South Bend once again.  This time, students, professors, and residents of the city showed up to “develop awareness of the need for scientific funding, of science education in our local schools, and to foster communication between the public, scientists, and local businesses,” according to the official event page. This march happened in conjunction with marches all over the country and the world.  

And Notre Dame students showed up.  By bus and by ride-share, groups of undergrads and grad students, some of whom helped organize the march, showed up to be heard.

This is quickly becoming a feature of life in the present administration.  South Bend has held satellite marches for the Women’s March and the March for Science, and nationally there have been airport protests and even a tax march. The question remains as to whether or not this level of political engagement shall persevere, but right now is a fascinating time to observe public participation and get involved with communities of like-minded individuals.

The true mission of this march is best seen through the signs.  Individuals displayed their specific concerns, fields of interest, and dissatisfaction with present science policy.  Without further ado, here is a (not comprehensive) list of signs seen in South Bend.

1. The Lorax

No fewer than five different signs and several t-shirts referenced Dr Seuss’s famous book about environmental conservation. Multiple signs stated only the one word: unless.  This was in reference to the quote: ”Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” Several people had pool noodles and poster boards that were fashioned into the iconic trees from the children’s book.

2. I’m With Her

This wonderful, cough, non-political march had a number of signs stating the demonstrators’ unwavering commitment to Planet/Mother Earth.  What, you thought this referred to someone else?  Purely a coincidence.

3. Planet B

Another few signs referenced the fact that we only have one climate to preserve, no second chance if we do not take collective action.  

4. Research

Signs referenced the scientific method, research projects, especially in cancer research, and almost all of them cited their sources.  No one showed up without the facts. “Grab ‘em by the Data” was a brilliant, pointed poster about the actual results of science.  Nope, definitely not about anyone else…

5. Bees

Bees are a hot button topic, as they have habitat concerns and need some work to conserve the species.  They represented a broader concern for environmental change and care for creation in the form of protecting threatened species.

6. Oceans

The concern for rising sea levels was quite prominent, and two different demonstrators drew the parallels between the rising oceans and scientists and all citizens quite literally rising up to defend the importance of research and facts.

7. Reality

Thinking about the need for this one is sobering, but the basic statement that Science is Real was prominent at the march.  Little kids held up signs about how much they liked science and thought it was important.

8. Heroes

From Einstein to Tesla, famous historic scientists were represented in costumes or puns.  I was repping my favorite female scientist, Rosalind Franklin, the woman who photographed the double helix structure of DNA and had her research taken and published by her contemporaries.  Later in some of the speeches, famous scientists were name checked, but the speaker happened to commend Watson and Crick for discovering the structure of DNA, to which a number of different members of the crowd just shouted “Rosalind Franklin.”  We remember the history and our heroes,  but we call upon all members of the scientific community to continually improve their community.

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Images 1, 2 & 3 provided by author