250 people turn out for Brussels March for Science

About 250 people gathered in Brussels on Saturday to take part in the March for Science, a series of rallies and marches originating in Washington, D.C., and held in more than 600 other cities across the world on Earth Day, 22 April. The purpose of the meeting is to make it clear that beliefs should never take the place of science-based research, reports De Morgen.

Scientific objectivity is under threat, especially in these times of 'alternative facts' and 'fake news', say initiators Charlotte Thorley and comedian Lieven Scheire. "We live in a time when facts are increasingly being questioned," says Thorley. "With this event, we want to make clear to the European and Belgian authorities that they must continue to invest in scientific research."