Friday, hundreds of scientists walked under a sunny blue sky in front of the federal offices in the Los Angeles Westwood district as part of a day of national demonstrations against the Trump administration policies considered a threat to research and universities, carrying signs on the theme, including the one that read “What would Albert do?” Accompanying a photo of Einstein.
The rally outside the Wilshire Federal Building attracted graduate students and UCLA teachers and was held under the banner of the Stand Up for Science scientific movement, which was inspired by the March for Science organized in 2017 shortly after Trump began his first mandate.
Many scientists feel again under attack. In a few weeks, the second Trump administration reduced jobs in scientific agencies – notably the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation and the National Oceanic Administration and the Atmospheric Administration – withdrew the United States from the Paris climate agreement (again), the back research documents were revised in scientific journals to rub the global terms of political health. The administration has also tried to block subsidies and reduce the financing of research institutions.
Hundreds of people gathered for the scientific rally standing in front of the federal building in Westwood, California, Friday, March 7, 2025. The rally drew attention to job cuts on scientific research and universities.
(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
“We have seen an incredible disarray and attempts to dismantle a very effective research infrastructure in this country. And we must say that it is enough, “said Judith Currier, professor of medicine at the UCLA, during the demonstration, which took place in the shadow of the offices for agencies, including the veterans.
Friday, at least 32 coordinated rallies were organized across the country, anchored by a march on the National Mall in Washington, DC, to thousands of people.
Duke Han, professor of psychiatry and family medicine at the USC, said that although he was not as involved in the March for Science’s movement during Trump’s first visit to the White House, he chose to participate in these manifestations because the level of interference increased. Science has always been considered non -partisan, but the events of recent years have galvanized those who on the ground to express themselves.
“Many of us try to understand what we can do,” said Han. “A number of us become more politically or politically active for the first time.”
For Han, the impact is not theoretical. He says that his establishment has become more prudent to give offers to graduate students. A subsidy that was supposed to finance the research with which it is involved to identify the first signs of Alzheimer’s disease is five weeks late. He contacted the contacts at the NIH but believes: “This is something that happens above them”.
Hundreds of people gathered for the scientific rally standing in front of the federal building in Westwood, California, Friday, March 7, 2025. The rally drew attention to job cuts on scientific research and universities.
(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
Several people of the demonstration said that the money used to finance scientific work reports dividends – and that losing it can have disastrous consequences for biomedical research, pharmaceutical development and more. Young scientists shared the concern during the event. An international student at the UCLA said that the reason she came to the United States was for the “great opportunities” of research. “But look at the situation now,” said the 21 -year -old, who refused to provide his name because of how this could affect his immigration status.
Katherine Karlsgodt, an associate professor at the UCLA in the psychology and psychiatry departments, who helped organize the Los Angeles rally, said that she was “very upset” by the changing barrage and concerned about their ramifications.
Changes in the financing of scientific agencies “have the potential to completely derail scientific research and medical research (and) have a huge impact on universities and university budgets and our ability to train students and to do research and essentially everything we do.”
Karlsgodt was on the wind of the standing scientific effort but was disappointed when she did not see any local gathering on the books. Then, some people from the UCLA and the USC were able to speak, she said. One of his students – Dylan Hughes, doctoral student in the UCLA clinical psychology program – reserved the site and they started trying to pass the word. The day before the event, 300 people had RSVP’D.
Hundreds of people gathered for the scientific rally standing in front of the federal building in Westwood, California, Friday, March 7, 2025. The rally drew attention to job cuts on scientific research and universities.
(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
Expressions of anger and alarm have mixed with hope and solidarity in the rally. “A Change is Gonna Come” by Sam Cook played while dozens of participants mixed and flashed panels sentenced to cars accelerating the Wilshire boulevard. The Honks have caused cheers. A dog in the crowd sported a panel announcing “Dogs Against Doge”, around his neck, a reference to the so-called Ministry of Government efficiency, led by Elon Musk, which led a large part of the costs of reducing the Trump administration.
What is now a national movement has started as a Bluesky position.
On. On February 8, Colette Delawalla, a graduate student in psychology at Emory University, announced online that she was planning a national demonstration for science, according to the New York Times. He struck a collective nerve, and other scientists quickly jumped on board, evolving to defend science.
Behind the rallies are the political objectives described on the group’s website, in particular the implementation of political interference and censorship; Restore and extend research funding; and defend diversity and accessibility.
Back in Los Angeles, Hughes, the doctoral student of the UCLA, who helped direct the local event, urged people to take the moment.
“It’s a really dark moment for science and for humanity,” said Hughes, “but there is an energy that we have created here which is really useful and has the power to change the world.”
Hundreds of people gathered for the scientific rally standing in front of the federal building in Westwood, California, Friday, March 7, 2025. The rally drew attention to job cuts on scientific research and universities.
(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
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