Professionals representing a variety of fields, like education, medicine and research, are rallying in Peoria this weekend in defense of science.
The Peoria Rally for Science is one of several hundred marches across the country scheduled Sat., which is also Earth Day.
Megan Pulley helped organize the march in Peoria. Pulley says as an educator, she fears science and evidence are increasingly ignored to leverage certain political agendas.
“It has gotten tied up in politics. It has been politicized, it has been used more by some than others,” Pulley said.
The march aims to celebrate the sciences and call on politicians to craft policies rooted in research.
“I’m tired of anti-intellectualism, and the idea that science is something you can opt out of. Knowledge is beautiful. It’s the best ally that we can have,” Pulley said.
Pulley, who teaches homeschool, says she’s bringing her kids along to the march, so they can feel proud about knowledge.
Scientists, educators, and leaders from a variety of disciplines are scheduled to speak at the Peoria Rally for Science, from 3-5:30pm at the Gateway Building.