It started as an idea online and quickly went viral. Inspired by the Woman's March in January, several scientists, educators and advocates came together to create the March For Science on April 22 in Washington DC.

That same day Sioux Falls will join over 350 other cities in the United states in a satellite march in Downtown Sioux Falls.

People who value science have remained silent for far too long in the face of policies that ignore scientific evidence and endanger both human life and the future of our world. New policies threaten to further restrict scientists’ ability to research and communicate their findings. We face a possible future where people not only ignore scientific evidence, but seek to eliminate it entirely. Staying silent is a luxury that we can no longer afford. We must stand together and support science. -From the National March for Science mission statement.

The march in Washington will start with a rally on the National Mall and end with a march through the streets of DC.

In Sioux Falls, the march will start at 10:00 AM on April 22 at Carnegie Town Hall (235 W 10th St), then down Dakota Avenue ending with a gathering at Falls Park West.

At the end of the march the organizers have plans for speakers, including remarks from an elementary school girl, an Auggie professor, an SDSU professor. Additionally Sioux Falls mayor Mike Huether is expected to read a proclamation.

Rallying with Earth Day in mind, the Sioux Falls March For Science is teaming up with the Big Sioux River Greenway Cleanup project to pick up garbage along the route and throughout downtown. Garbage bags and gloves will be provided and a collection area will be available at the end of the march.

The organizers of the Sioux Falls March say their missions is to show support for the scientific community; safeguard the scientific process, and research funding, when seeking answers to the things that matter; publicly celebrate science, which helps us make sense of ourselves and our world; and to encourage curiosity and exploration, the heart of the scientific approach.

More information about the Sioux Falls March for Science can be found here.

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