Important March Details

  • Time, Location – 10:30 congregate in Jenny Lincoln Park, line up on Harrison, march to Park Central Square
  • Bring your signs, water, snacks and a trash bag to help clean up after ourselves
  • The march will happen rain or shine! Bring umbrellas and ponchos, if necessary. And use clear packing tape to protect your signs. Check & follow the Facebook page and Twitter event updates
  • Several large events are occurring downtown that day so please allow at least 30 extra minutes more than you’d usually plan to account for closed roads and congestion
  • Don’t park on South Street – see downtown Springfield parking map on the Route page
  • It’s important to be counted! We ask that march participants text COUNT to (417) 986-0986 (and don’t worry, we won’t be using or selling your phone number for anything else, this is purely for data!)
  • If you need assistance, locate an official MFS Volunteer wearing a green armbands
  • There is an area reserved near the bandstand for those with accessibility needs including an ASL interpreter
  • Please pick up any trash you leave behind!
  • Snapchat users: Please look for and use our Springfield MFS filter at the march!
  • When marching be mindful of parked cars on South Street
  • Family-friendly, pet friendly – Just be mindful of other marchers
  • An information table, including lost and found, will be located on the northwest side of the Square directly behind the bandstand
  • There will be portable toilets available on the north end of the Square, off of Boonville Ave

SCIENCE, NOT SILENCE

The March for Science demonstrates our passion for science and sounds a call to support and safeguard the scientific community. Recent policy changes have caused heightened worry among scientists. The incredible and immediate outpouring of support has made clear that these concerns are also shared by the support of hundreds of thousands of people around the world.

The mischaracterization of science as a partisan issue, which has given policymakers permission to reject overwhelming evidence, is a critical and urgent matter. It is time for people who support scientific research and evidence-based policies to take a public stand and be counted.

ON APRIL 22, 2017, WE WALK OUT OF THE LAB AND INTO THE STREETS

We are people who value science and recognize how science serves. We come from all races, all religions, all gender identities, all sexual orientations, all abilities, all socioeconomic backgrounds, all political perspectives, and all nationalities. Our diversity is our greatest strength: a wealth of opinions, perspectives, and ideas is critical for the scientific process. What unites us is a love of science, and an insatiable curiosity. We all recognize that science is everywhere and affects everyone.

Science is often an arduous process, but it is also thrilling. A universal human curiosity and dogged persistence is the greatest hope for the future. This movement cannot and will not end with a march. The relationship between science and democracy must not continue to erode. The application of science to society is not divorced from politics. Our plans for policy change and community outreach will start with Marches for Science world-wide and a teach-in at the National Mall, but it is imperative that we continue to celebrate and defend science at all levels – from local schools to federal agencies – throughout the world.

MARCH WITH US

The March for Science is an international movement, led by organizers distributed around the globe. This movement is taking place because of the simultaneous realization by thousands of people who value science in their lives that staying silent is no longer an option. There are marches being planned across the United States and internationally.

We encourage everyone to follow local organizers to stay updated, and reach out if you want to help!