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Scientists hold rally in Boston to protest threats to science

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  • Neuroscientist Shruti Muralidhar, front left, and microbiologist Abhishek Chari, front right, hold placards and chant during a demonstration by members of the scientific community, environmental advocates, and supporters, Sunday, Feb. 19, 2017, in Boston.

BOSTON >> Hundreds of scientists, environmental advocates and their supporters held a rally in Boston today to protest what they see as increasing threats to science and research in the U.S.

The scientists, some dressed in white lab coats, called on President Donald Trump’s administration to recognize evidence of climate change and take action on various environmental issues.

Geoffrey Supran, a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who studies renewable energy solutions to climate change, said scientists are responding to the Trump administration’s “anti-science rhetoric.”

“We’re really trying to send a message today to Mr. Trump that America runs on science, science is the backbone of our prosperity and progress,” Supran said.

The “Rally to Stand Up for Science” in Boston’s Copley Square was held outside of the American Association for the Advancement of Science annual meeting, one of the first major gatherings of scientists since Trump was elected in November.

Protesters held signs that read “Science Matters,” ”Scientists Pursuing Truth, Saving the World” and “Make America Smart Again.”

Some of those who turned out criticized Trump’s appointment of Scott Pruitt as head of the Environmental Protection Agency over the objections of environmental groups.

During six years as the attorney general of Oklahoma, Pruitt filed 14 lawsuits challenging EPA regulations. He previously expressed skepticism about scientific evidence showing the planet is heating up and that humans are to blame. However, during his Senate confirmation hearing last month, he said he disagreed with Trump’s past statements that global warming is a hoax.

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  • Kudos to the scientists protesting Trump’s anti-environmental policies and promoting renewable energy as a solution. Wish we had such a protest here. I’d like to suggest that when Hokule’a returns home from its Malama Honua journey around the world, we hold both a welcome greeting for Hokule’a visiting our ports and use the occasion to promote caring for the earth while protesting Trump’s anti-environmental policies. We need to make our voice heard and I’d be glad to join in person when Hokule’a visits Hilo this year if possible.

  • “White lab coats”? Are they the same fake “white lab coats” that stood behind Obozo when he rolled out Obozocare? “Make America Smart Again”? Yeah we’re “smart” enough to recognize a subsidized tax scam on the people. Like PP, STOP all funding to these jokers NOW.

  • One of the problems is there is a lot of pseudo science being paraded along with the hard sciences as though it were the same thing. The basic tenets of artificial climate change have this problem.

    Just because you make some observations and then make up a theory that fits them does not make it science in the traditional sense.

    Also, statements like 97% of climate scientists agree sounds like something the pope would have said when he was arguing with Galileo.

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