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So, science friends.
When in the 1930s would you have decided “no, I’m not going to go to that conference in Germany”?
Because the question now needs to be posed looking westwards across the Atlantic.
If your phone can be taken on arrival & searched for messages critical of the government & then you can be denied entry (or perhaps worse in the future), why would you even think of going in the first place?
Absolutely horrifying slide into totalitarianism.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/19/trump-musk-french-scientist-detained
@markmccaughrean It's a tricky one. I currently have a conference in May in Chicago.
I know the "phone can be taken and searched" has been going on since 2001 really, but never thought "this could be me".
Now with this, and the more horrific cases with a Canadian, two Germans, and a Brit being thrown into ICE detention…
I like the folks that organise the conference, and know many of the other speakers, but is it now worth the risk? I don't know 
Certainly not going to plan to future ones.
@derickr @markmccaughrean speaking as a non-scientist American (though I’ve got two scientists in the family), I urge you to boycott all things American.
It needs to sink in to the public at large that the US is dangerous (lots still in denial), and one of the best ways to do that is to stop spending money here. Don’t book those flights and hotels for the conference, don’t eat in our restaurants, and get around town via transit or taxi.
Conferences are big business—close them all down.
@grammasaurus @markmccaughrean This is not a big business conference, but a community one run on a shoestring budget. Flights are all booked (non US airline), and hotel too.
I don't want to be flaky with the people who organise it, nor miss a chance to see many friends, who honestly could do with some support.
But I might change my mind if it gets worse, and have been talking to the organisers about that too.
Beyond that, I'm definitely moving away from US (tech) providers.
@derickr @markmccaughrean The chance to see friends is important! and all anyone can do is make choices based on the best info they have at any moment.
I hope the US won’t be in crisis for too long, but know that many of us support whatever decisions you make that keep you safe.