Double the celebration in Duke City

March for Science and Earth Day events merge into one

Civic Plaza will break out in a celebration of science for five hours this afternoon.

The March for Science ABQ Rally and the city’s Earth Day Celebration are merging into one event that will run from 2 to 7 p.m. The march is scheduled for 2 to 4 p.m. and the Earth Day celebration will be from 4 to 7 p.m.

The marches are taking place throughout the country and the world — more than 600 cities on six continents — in connection with the March for Science in Washington, D.C. The event is expected to be a protest of sorts over the importance of science and proposed cuts by the president’s administration.

“I think it (the election) sort of lit a fire under me,” said geologist Nina Lanza. She and some of her colleagues at the Los Alamos National Laboratory will speak — for themselves, not their institution — at a rally in Santa Fe.

“I think we scientists often feel we can’t be political, because it will undermine our work, but we can’t live in our ivory towers. We live in the world, and we are citizens just as we are scientists,” said Lanza. “We are seeing policies being put in place that are remarkably ignorant of the benefits of science and what it does for our nation.”

On the plaza in Albuquerque, there will be environment- and science-focused vendors and exhibits, activities for children, food trucks, La Cumbre Brewing Co., and wine.

The Cali Shaw Band, a local favorite, will play at 4 p.m. and Cactus Tractor plays at 5:30 p.m.

Explora, the Off Center Community Arts Project, and the Imagination Playground will also participate.

New Mexico Computer Recyclers will be there providing free services.

Albuquerque City Councilor Diane Gibson, who is speaking during the event, said organizers are expecting a strong turnout because of uncertainty in Washington.

“There are big changes and some are concerning to a lot of people,” she said. “I think people are wanting to get the attention of elected officials and say ‘this is really important to me.’ ”