Missoula, MT — On Friday, students, professors, and community members gathered at the University of Montana for a Stand Up for Science Rally to demonstrate their unwavering support for the vital role science plays in society. The event aimed to highlight the importance of scientific research and the crucial organizations that foster progress, such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The rally comes at a time when federal funding for these agencies has faced significant cuts, raising concerns about the future of scientific advancements. Speakers at the rally emphasized the essential role these institutions play in ensuring public safety and improving quality of life through health and environmental protections.
Many attendees expressed that the safety, health, and well-being of communities depend on the continued support of science, with several highlighting the advances in medicine, environmental protections, and food safety that have resulted from research backed by these organizations. They underscored that science is not only a source of knowledge but a force for progress that enables individuals to lead healthier and longer lives.
In their remarks, speakers also reflected on how a science-forward approach to policy is not just beneficial to the people of Montana, but to the nation as a whole. They stressed that maintaining and investing in scientific research would help ensure that the state, and the country, remain at the forefront of innovation and discovery.
The Stand Up for Science Rally served as a reminder that in an era of increasing challenges, continued investment in science is key to overcoming public health, environmental, and technological obstacles, and that communities must rally together to support those who work tirelessly to drive change.
