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Scientists rally against proposed budget cuts in Washington. (File)

Huntsville organizers think a thousand people or more could turn out Saturday for the city's March For Science, assuming the weather cooperates. Ditto, organizers of a similar march in Birmingham. And a third march in downtown Mobile.

The gatherings planned on Earth Day are among more than 500 marches worldwide. The movement started after early Trump administration proposals to cut federal funding for science research and change government policies related to climate change.

Now, organizers in Huntsville say they want to avoid partisanship and instead stress the benefits of science. They even have sign tips for those planning to attend.

"Around 500 people on Facebook say they're going, and another 700-800 are interested," Huntsville organizer Kevin Counselman said Tuesday. The event's Facebook page is here.

Nearly 1,000 people have also expressed interest or plan to come to a similar march Saturday morning in Birmingham. There's also a Saturday morning event in downtown Mobile and another in downtown Montgomery.

A crowd of 1,000 wouldn't be too surprising in Huntsville. The modern city owes its existence to rocket science at Marshall Space Flight Center and missile science based at Redstone Arsenal. One of its fastest-growing economic sectors is genetic research and biotechnology.

In Birmingham, research at the University of Alabama at Birmingham totals hundreds of millions of dollars a year. Medical research at the University of South Alabama and marine research on Dauphin Island are also extensive.

This map shows the route of Saturday's March for Science in Huntsville, Ala. (Courtesy)

The Huntsville march begins at 1 p.m. at Shelbie King Hall on the campus of the University of Alabama in Huntsville. It will start with the launch of a weather balloon. "We thought it would be nice to do some science at a science march," Counselman said.

Marchers will travel about 1.3 miles to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, listen to a few remarks and then return. No politicians have been invited to speak.

Counselman said organizers plan "a family friendly event" with children carrying banners. To avoid political controversy, they are urging participants "not to be too partisan with their signs."

"We are focusing on science and the good it does for mankind and, in our case in particular, for our local community and the economy of our local community," Counselman said.