Standing Up for Science: Protesters Fight for Public Health

In the heart of Washington, a large crowd gathered to voice their concerns about recent government actions. The chilly weather did not deter hundreds of current and former federal employees from rallying outside the Department of Health and Human Services. Their mission? To protest the recent firings of federal workers and the potential impact on public health. The crowd was particularly vocal about the policies of President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, who have been pushing for budget cuts. The crowd was a mix of people, from seasoned scientists to young students. Ian Fucci, a cancer researcher at the National Institutes of Health, took the stage to speak. He emphasized the importance of continued research and funding. "Think about the medicines you use for diabetes, heart disease, or cancer, " he said. "These were developed by NIH and NIH-funded researchers. Is it right to destroy years of progress in research? No way. " The crowd chanted slogans like "Funding, not freezes" and "Stand up, fight back. " They held signs with messages like "Protect civil servants because they protect you! " and "In science we trust. " The atmosphere was electric, with a sense of urgency and determination. Many protesters were there to challenge the work of Musk's Department of Government Efficiency. One sign cleverly altered the DOGE acronym to read "Department of Grifting Everything. " The crowd was passionate about their cause, and their voices echoed through the streets. Democratic Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen addressed the crowd, promising to fight the government's policies in the courts, Congress, and through public gatherings. He emphasized that the fight against these policies was far from over. Ellen Bak, a former NIH scientist, shared her personal story. She had been fired over the weekend, and her research into stem cells and blood cancer had been lost. "All that money, time, testing, care, and effort—is it all just gone? " she asked, her voice filled with emotion. Jenna McGrew, an 18-year-old student from Florida, was at the rally because her older brother, Ethan, was in intensive care at NIH. She spoke about the "level of uncertainty" inside the NIH and how it posed a risk to her brother's life. McGrew emphasized that the funding cuts were not just affecting America but the entire world. The rally took place near the Capitol, and multiple lawmakers pledged to continue their fight against Trump's policies from inside Congress. Maryland Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin compared the scientists' medical research to this moment in American history. "These are the people who are fighting the viruses that threaten the American people, " he said. "But fascism is a virus, too. The people who are out here fighting in subfreezing temperatures, they are the antibodies. We are the antibodies. " The rally was a powerful display of unity and determination. It highlighted the importance of continued research and funding for public health. The protesters made it clear that they would not back down in their fight for science and public health.