PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — Supporters of scientific research gathered for a rally in Portland Saturday as part of a nationwide day of events, with organizers saying they are pushing back against what they see as threats to science funding, evidence-based medicine and academic freedom.
Keith Eddins, an organizer of the rally, said he came out because he believes “science is one of the foundations of American society [and] of modern society,” and that “science is undergoing a relentless attack from this administration.”
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Eddins pointed to concerns about “funding for researchers for basic scientific research,” what he described as “attacks on medical evidence-based medicine,” “the reality…that vaccines work,” and “efforts to control what universities can teach.” He said, “You see a concerted attempt to rein in science,” adding, “That’s why I’m here today, to protest that.”
Eddins said he is not a scientist, but described his background as a retired American diplomat who worked on science issues during his career.
He said he sees science as central to the country’s influence abroad, saying, “I recognize fundamentally how important science is to American power, to America’s role in the world,” and, “we’re looked up to as a foundation of science globally and I hate to see us lose that soft power.”
He also cited personal reasons for getting involved, saying his daughter is about to start a PhD program. “I don’t want her to have her funding cut off halfway through, or even before she has the opportunity to begin her life’s passion, which is biology,” he said.
Eddins said rallies were being held throughout the country, with the largest events in Washington, D.C. He said one organizer could not attend the local rally because of a conference in Denver and was helping with the rally there.
U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici was in attendance, and Eddins said U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas sent a note because she could not be there. He noted both lawmakers recognize “how important science is to Oregon, to the West, to the country, and to the world,” and said they are working through committee assignments to “push back against the cuts in science that are going on.”
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Asked what he wanted from Bonamici after the rally, Eddins said the reality is that there is “very little that Democrats can do right now because they don’t have the majority.”
Still, he said the Oregon congressional delegation, including Bonamici and Salinas, has advocated for “protecting Oregonians and their access to healthcare, their access to vaccines, the funding of our major research universities,” adding, “So, they’re doing what they can.”
Speakers at the rally included professors from Oregon State and OHSU, and at least one speaker from a private research institution. “Here in Oregon, we have a lot of research done through private entities,” Eddins said. A University of Oregon professor had to cancel because of another commitment, he said.
“It’s really important that people recognize that this effort against science is not just about a lot of scientists in white lab coats,” Eddins said. “It’s about everyday life.” He added, “Our entire modern society is based on scientific findings, and if we don’t keep moving forward, we fall behind.”