Scientists are planning a march on Washington, D.C., on April 22, which is Earth Day. Organizers say recent policy changes worry scientists, and they see the march as a call to safeguard the scientific community.
There are also satellite marches planned around the country that day, including in Phoenix.
In addition, a group called 314 Action — that’s 314 as in Pi — is working to recruit and train scientists to run for office.
Shaughnessy Naughton is the founder of 314 Action. Naughton has a background in chemistry and is a former congressional candidate.
Among the group’s goals is to get people with STEM backgrounds to run for office and hopefully get elected. The group is holding a candidate training on March 14, Pi Day. So far, around 2,000 scientists have signed up to run for office.
In Arizona, one state lawmaker with a science background is Dr. Randy Friese. The Tucson trauma surgeon is the assistant minority leader in the state House and an adviser to 314 Action.
