POTSDAM — Nearly 400 people participated in a rally Saturday in Ives Park prior to a People's Climate March through downtown Potsdam to protestchanges to federal environmental policies.

North Country Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne said rural residents like those living in the North Country understand the importance of protecting the environment. She was one of the speakers at the event, organized by the North Country 350 Alliance.

Jenne pointed out she is the seventh generation of her family to live in the North Country.

"That means my ancestors did work with their hands, lived off the land, depended on their neighbors and eked out a living. That ethic, the sense of who we are, is still what the North Country is all about," Jenne said.

"We've lived off the land, and we have depended on our neighbors. We know the importance of taking care of our land and waterways. When we have some elected officials that are denying science, that don't understand how interdependent we all are and that one thing impacts the others, they think they can use empty rhetoric to lull us into a situation where we will just nod and go along with the craziness they are proposing," she added.

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A large crowd marched through downtown Potsdam on Saturday to voice their opposition to federal policies that are peeling away environmental protections.

But she noted North Country residents have a unique relationship with the land, rivers and lakes in the region and understand the importance of protecting the natural resources in the area.

"I have faith - because I'm from the North Country - that our way of life is to use science, use it responsibly and to make sure our world is ready for the next generation to take over," Jenne said.

"Coming from the North Country, I know we are going to fight back this back. We come from a generation that knows what we do today is absolutely going to impact what comes tomorrow," Jenne said.

She urged those in the crowd to share the facts about climate change with their neighbors and beyond the North Country.

'We come from a tradition here of leaving a legacy. We do not deny science. I am heartened by all of you standing here raising your voices. I know today is not the end of your advocacy. I know you are going to continue on, and I'm going to stand shoulder to shoulder with you, arms together, until we take back our country," Jenne said.

"This is science. We have to take the facts to the world. Let's take the facts to them and win this argument," she said.

Other speakers at the event were Jon Rosales, an associate professor of Environmental Studies at St. Lawrence University; Rev. Deborah Packard, Presbyterian Church of Potsdam; and Mike Jock, a representative from Akwesasne. Folksinger Celia Evans also performed at the rally.

People's climate Marches were also held in Plattsburgh and Glens Falls, both in the 21st Congressional District, along with Syracuse, Washington, D.C., and several other locations around the country.