Rusty Jacobs

Protesters held signs demanding that President Trump and advisor Elon Musk keep their hands off free speech rights as well as funding for universities and scientific research. Leah Fowler was one of them. The 25-year-old was a probationary worker at the Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Research and Development until last week.

Protesters held signs demanding that President Trump and advisor Elon Musk keep their hands off free speech rights as well as funding for universities and scientific research. Leah Fowler was one of them. The 25-year-old was a probationary worker at the Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Research and Development until last week.

She left after the Trump administration proposed major cuts to the agency.

She left after the Trump administration proposed major cuts to the agency.

Fowler said she was heartened by Saturday's turnout. For NPR News, I'm Rusty Jacobs in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Fowler said she was heartened by Saturday's turnout. For NPR News, I'm Rusty Jacobs in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.