©
NCPR: The rally drew hundreds of people, looking for their first chance to gather and regroup in Massena since the latest Alcoa upheaval.
©
NCPR: Longtime union leader Ernie LaBaff rallied the crowd shouting, "The dedication of men and women who go to work everyday is what makes America what it is."
©
NCPR: Many grew emotional as local steelworkers union president Bob Smith asked the crowd, "In 30 years are we going to tell the same story?"
©
NCPR: Community members brought signs showing support for local jobs.
©
NCPR: The rally gave way to a march across town.
©
NCPR: The march ended at the sprawling parking lot outside the Massena Area.
©
NCPR: Teachers from the Ogdensburg and Massena unions huddled together as frigid winds blew across the parking lot.
©
NCPR: Massena High School student Corie Francis said the mood at her school was grim after Alcoa announced its original plan to lay off 478 workers.
©
NCPR: New York State Democratic Assemblywoman Addie Russell spoke directly to Massena's young people: "We're here to tell you you're going to have a place here."
©
NCPR: "We're riding the high right now," said Trish Murphy, a teacher in Massena for over 29 years. Her husband works at Alcoa.
©
NCPR: The rally's main organizer Erin Coville said she knew people would turnout for the event: "The people love this area. It's home."