Thousands Rally on National Mall to 'Stand Up for Science'

Protesters challenge Trump administration policies, call for RFK Jr.'s removal as HHS secretary

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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Thousands of demonstrators packed the National Mall in Washington this weekend for a 'Stand Up for Science' rally challenging Trump administration science and health policies and calling for RFK Jr.'s removal as HHS secretary. Speakers, including local members of Congress, tied the protest to a global day of action demanding stronger research funding and science-based public health leadership.

Why it matters

The rally reflects growing concerns about the Trump administration's perceived dismissal of scientific evidence and expertise, as well as the controversial appointment of RFK Jr., a known vaccine skeptic, to a key public health role. The protest is part of a broader movement to defend the role of science in policymaking.

The details

Demonstrators at the 'Stand Up for Science' rally on the National Mall criticized the Trump administration for rolling back environmental regulations, undermining climate science, and appointing officials skeptical of established research. Speakers called for increased federal funding for scientific research and a return to evidence-based decision-making in areas like public health.

  • The rally took place this past weekend on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

The players

Trump administration

The current presidential administration, which protesters accuse of dismissing scientific evidence and expertise.

RFK Jr.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a known vaccine skeptic who was appointed as Secretary of Health and Human Services by the Trump administration, a move that has drawn significant criticism from the scientific community.

Members of Congress

Local representatives who spoke at the rally and tied the Washington protest to a global day of action demanding stronger research funding and science-based public health leadership.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

The takeaway

This rally highlights the growing divide between the Trump administration's policies and the scientific community's calls for evidence-based policymaking. The protest reflects a broader movement to defend the role of science in shaping public policy, especially in areas like public health and the environment.