Mass Protest Against NOAA Layoffs in Boulder

Mass Protest Against NOAA Layoffs in Boulder

Large Turnout for Demonstration

Over 1,000 protesters gathered outside the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) building in Boulder, Colorado, on Monday to oppose recent layoffs. The protest was organized by former U.S. Congressman David Skaggs, for whom the NOAA building is named. Skaggs initially expected around 100 attendees, but police estimated the crowd at over 1,000.

Concerns Over Government Changes

Skaggs expressed deep concern over the direction of the federal government under the current administration, which has been making abrupt staffing and budget cuts.

“I was in church yesterday and I wept for my country,” Skaggs said. “It is overwhelmingly sad and distressing. We need to take a deep breath, gather our courage, and stand up for what we know is right.”

Extent of the Layoffs

The administration recently dismissed over 800 NOAA employees nationwide, according to Congressional sources. Two current employees at the Boulder office, speaking anonymously, estimated that around 10% of the 800 local NOAA employees had been let go.

Impact on Public Services

Scientists warn that these layoffs could significantly impact critical services, including space weather forecasts, satellite operations, and power grid monitoring. The cuts may also affect emergency warnings for wildfires, tornadoes, and hurricanes, potentially putting lives at risk.

Challenges in Recruiting Scientists

Susan McLean, a retired NOAA manager, attended the protest and voiced concerns over the agency’s ability to attract top talent in the future.

“We used to attract people even with our lower pay because we had a good mission, and it was valued by the public,” McLean said.

McLean compared the current situation to past federal workforce reductions under a previous administration, stating that prior efforts were carefully planned, whereas the current approach appears haphazard and reckless.

Local Political Landscape and Public Response

With the governor’s seat and state legislature controlled by the Democratic Party, public opposition to these cuts has been strong in Colorado. In Boulder County, 76.5% of voters supported the previous administration in the last election, while 20.8% voted for the current administration.

“This protest is a manifestation of how frustrated people are,” said demonstrator Brenna Raeder, who held a sign reading “National Weather Service Saves Lives.” She emphasized the critical role of NOAA in providing life-saving weather forecasts, particularly for wildfires in Colorado.

Concerns Over Scientific Integrity

Protesters urged bipartisan support for protecting NOAA and other scientific institutions from drastic cuts. NOAA has not responded to requests for comment regarding the layoffs or the exact number of affected employees in Boulder.

A conservative policy initiative has previously called for NOAA’s downsizing, claiming that the agency contributes to “climate change alarmism.” The proposed plan suggests breaking up and reducing the agency’s role in climate research.

Similar Protests in Maryland

A separate protest of similar size took place in Silver Spring, Maryland, where demonstrators called for reinstating the dismissed NOAA scientists.

“NOAA is critical to safe seafood, hurricane forecasting, and many other aspects of our daily lives,” said protester Mike Tidwell. “We need to keep this agency strong.”

“Mass Protest Against NOAA Layoffs in Boulder” “Mass Protest Against NOAA Layoffs in Boulder” “Mass Protest Against NOAA Layoffs in Boulder” “Mass Protest Against NOAA Layoffs in Boulder”