BERKELEY, CA — On Friday, Sproul Plaza at the University of California, Berkeley, was filled with passionate voices, but this time it wasn’t the students taking the lead. Nearly 2,000 scientists, Nobel laureates, student researchers, and elected officials gathered in a powerful rally to protest the Trump administration’s efforts to reduce funding for scientific research, reject climate science, and dismantle diversity programs in academia.
The rally, held in one of the nation’s most historically significant sites for student activism, was part of a larger nationwide movement. Another similar protest took place at San Francisco’s Civic Center Plaza. The protests were in direct response to the administration’s stance on science and funding, which many argue is a threat to intellectual independence and public knowledge.
Edward Miguel, a distinguished professor of economics at UC Berkeley, was among the speakers, emphasizing the detrimental effects of the proposed cuts. He specifically pointed to efforts to reduce research funding for critical agencies, such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Department of Energy.
Miguel, who is also an Oxfam professor specializing in environmental and resource economics, warned that these cuts would undermine scientific progress. “If you weaken science, and you weaken alternative sources of truth, it strengthens them and their propaganda narratives,” he said. Miguel argued that climate change scientists, armed with data and evidence, are particularly targeted by the administration, which continues to downplay the issue in favor of fossil fuel interests.
A major focal point of the rally was the recent decision by the NIH, the world’s largest public funder of biomedical research, to cap indirect costs on new and existing grants at 15%. Indirect costs typically cover essential aspects of research, including laboratory space, equipment, and graduate assistant salaries. The move has already sparked legal challenges from 22 state attorneys general, including California’s, and a federal judge recently issued temporary orders blocking the cuts in several states.
The NIH’s research budget is substantial, nearly $48 billion in 2023, and the proposed cuts are estimated to impact the University of California system by over $600 million. UC officials have expressed serious concern about the long-term effects on academic research and innovation.
One of the most poignant moments of the rally came from Fernando Perez, a computational physicist who developed the popular IPython data analysis tool. Perez, originally from Medellín, Colombia, spoke about his journey to the United States to find intellectual freedom. He compared the Trump administration’s attacks on science to the tactics of fascist regimes.
“Why do they attack science? Fascists can’t tolerate science because it is independent,” Perez said. “While imperfect, scientists seek answers where the evidence will lead them, regardless of what politicians want. Fascists demand obedience and control, and science strives to follow nature where it leads.”
The rally’s speakers, many of whom have made significant contributions to their fields, shared a common message: science and evidence-based research are under threat, and it is imperative to stand up in defense of academic freedom and intellectual independence.
As the protest unfolded, the message was clear — this is not just a fight for research funding; it’s a battle for the future of truth, knowledge, and intellectual integrity. With the administration’s stance on science continuing to evolve, those gathered at Berkeley expressed their commitment to ensuring that evidence-based research remains a cornerstone of U.S. policy.