‘Science is who we are’: OU Green Week holds rally in support of National Weather Center, NOAA amid nationwide layoffs

With handmade signs and chanting in unison, roughly 60 protesters gathered outside of the National Weather Center to protest recent nationwide layoffs proposed by the Department of Government Efficiency. 

The effort was one of 32 rallies organized across the nation by Stand Up for Science, a grassroots organization that advocates for science as a pillar for social, political and economic progress.

The Norman protest was locally organized by Green Week, an OU student organization committed to environmental education and promoting climate action. Bailey Wiegert, vice chair of Green Week, said she believes the defunding of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Weather Service is going to be a loss of crucial weather information.

“We're gonna lose so much information that could be valuable to making a difference in the world,” Wiegert said. “I just think it's important that we protect science because it's protecting us. The more we know about what's around us, the more we can do to learn how we can protect ourselves, and protect others, and the environment.” 

Members of Green Week promoted the protest on campus through chalk messages on sidewalks, graphics and flyers. 

Brendan Morales, a meteorology senior, said protesting the layoffs is a way for him to share his voice and exercise his political power. 

“Science is who we are, and the fact that this is being taken away from us forcibly, with no recompense, no review, is straight up a violation of what this country stands for,” Morales said. 

Morales said he wants those impacted by the layoffs or who know someone impacted to continue speaking up for what they believe in.

“I encourage you to constantly step up. Today does not have to be the last day, today does not have to be the only day we need to keep this up,” Morales said. “Make sure that the government knows that this is not who we are, this is not what we want, we need representation. Always and forever.” 

Throughout the hour, more and more people joined the protest. Jacob Hall, a meteorology sophomore, was one of the students who joined the effort. 

“The National Weather Service and NOAA are very important to keeping people safe from weather in their daily lives,” Hall said. “I just think it's really important to be out here advocating for NOAA and the National Weather Service, because they're just so crucial to day life.” 

After roughly 30 minutes, protesters marched to south Jenkins Avenue to face cars as they drove by. 

Caden Berry, a meteorology sophomore, said his support for the National Weather Center and NOAA employees is very personal. 

“Just three days ago, a tornado impacted my home community of Ada, Oklahoma, and my family took shelter before the sirens went off,” Berry said. “Luckily, we were all safe. But cuts make it much more difficult to put out warnings on time, especially when a tornado is moving at 50 miles per hour.” 

According to Berry, NOAA’s services are crucial for Oklahomans. 

Cassady Curtis, an environmental sustainability senior, said it was empowering to be surrounded by like-minded individuals at the protest who care about the issue as much as she does. 

“It was a really amazing experience,” Curtis said. “Even just showing up to something like this is an amazing way to help people, both the people that could be losing their jobs, but also the people that are affected by those job losses.”

This story was edited by Anusha Fathepure, Ismael Lele and Ana Barboza.