These pins defend scientists and science in the Trump era
The couple behind the pins that said "I love you" in American Sign Language, made for the Women's March in January, are back with a new pin raising money for science and research.
Ahead of the "March for Science" on April 22 in Washington, D.C. and all over the world, Kate Lind and Nate Stevens of Pincause designed a new pin with illustrator Penelope Dullaghan. This one says "Science not silence," with a rocket ship launching into space.
"This is a critical time for not just the science community, but for humanity and our planet. Staying silent is no longer an option," Lind said in an email.
The Michigan couple has teamed up with march organizers to be the official pin of the demonstration. (Wear it on your hat.) They hope to raise $200,000 for the march and continue supporting the organization beyond the day of action.
As of Friday afternoon, they had sold 15,765 pins for $5 a piece. From every sale, $2 goes to the March for Science.
Lind added that the pins will support a teach-in and rally also planned for April 22 in D.C. Each pin order comes with a flier that says, "I believe in science not silence," also set in outer space.
The upcoming march is volunteer-run and hopes to voice concerns about the Donald Trump administration's policies and stance on issues like climate change and alternative energy. Decisions to cut funding, research and jobs in departments like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy are of serious concern -- as are changes to federal research websites.
As march organizers have said, "Science, scientists, and evidence-based policymaking are under attack."
These pins are just one way to fight back.
Sasha is a news writer at Mashable's San Francisco office. She's an SF native who went to UC Davis and later received her master's from the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism. She's been reporting out of her hometown over the years at Bay City News (news wire), SFGate (the San Francisco Chronicle website), and even made it out of California to write for the Chicago Tribune. She's been described as a bookworm and a gym rat.
