The first ever March for Science was held on April 22nd, Earth Day. Over 600 cities participated by holding marches and raising awareness about the growing concerns for the environment. In Seattle, about 25,000 people marched from Cal Anderson Park to the Pacific Science Center, including environmental science teacher Bill Wilson and a group of CK students.

From ten until noon, people filled the giant soccer field to listen to speeches from Mayor Ed Murray, Governor Jay Inslee, and a riveting (not really) performance of The Sun is a Mass of Incandescent Gas, by They Might be Giants. Several local scientists spoke as well.

At noon, thousands upon thousands of people streamed out onto the streets of Seattle through a fairly small gap in the fence, and were on their way. The pace was surprisingly fast, considering how tightly packed the group was.

Most people had signs, decorated with phrases, quotes, and pictures that they thought would make an impact. Some were serious, like junior Lina Fowler’s, “Day by day, my future melts away” with a picture of the earth melting, and some were silly, like senior Isabelle Wheeler’s, “I love fish!” A few were downright artsy, like the little boy in the wagon that was decorated like a NASA space ship.

The march itself was completely peaceful, with the line occasionally doing the vocal wave, or chanting “Science, science, science!” Everyone there apparently believed in the same thing, so everyone was supportive of each other. People occasionally stopped to take pictures or videos of the march, or pictures of other people’s signs. “I love fish” was a favorite of the Seattle aquarium volunteers.