Tens of thousands at March for Science in St. Paul

St. Paul, MN – About 48,000 people marched to the Minnesota State Capitol, April 22, at the March for Science. The crowd included kids, adults, teachers, science professionals, environmental activists and numerous supporting organizations to “show support for higher education, and the discovery, access and understanding of scientific information.”

March for Science was a series of rallies and marches that took place across the world on April 22, Earth Day. Under the current Trump administration there have been huge cuts to scientific research and environmental programs. Science and environmental protections are not a priority for this administration.

In partnership with the March for Science was the Kids Climate March. Over 500 kids held a rally at 9:30 a.m. in front of the Science Museum of Minnesota in Saint Paul. Kids Climate March organizers stated, “Young people know climate change is real, they know it is human caused and they know their future is at stake.” The Kids Climate March fed into and led the March for Science from Cathedral Hill Park to the State Capitol.

Meredith Aby-Keirstead, a member of the Anti-War Committee, told Fight Back!, “I really enjoyed the March for Science – especially the Kids Climate March part. It was empowering to be with tens of thousands of people saying science is real, global warming is real, and who were taking a stand against Trump’s budget cuts to scientific research and environmental protection.”

As part of marking Earth Day, among the crowd was a vibrant theme of signs focusing on environmental protection reading “Protect Mother Earth!” and “Climate change is real!” Numerous #nodapl and Mni Wiconi t-shirts and signs reading “In solidarity with Standing Rock” were also spotted within the crowd.