Photos for Love and Rage by Stephanie Inserra and Derek Scarlino

DOWNTOWN UTICA – On Thursday, March 5th, up to 1,500 local educators, students, parents and concerned citizens turned out for a march from Cornerstone Community Church in Oneida Square, down Genesee Street to the New York State Office Building in Downtown Utica.

They marched in response to Governor Andrew Cuomo’s controversial education proposals which include increasing reliance on student test scores for teacher evaluations, do not address disparity in funding, compromise local control of districts among many others.

Protesters congregate at the Utica State Office Building.

Principal Steven Falchi holds a banner with students.

Some schools, like Utica’s Proctor High School, need students to fundraise for sports equipment, textbooks and laboratory equipment.

(Photo: Derek Scarlino/Love and Rage)

(Photo: Stephanie Inserra/Love and Rage)

A crowd rallies for public education in March (Photo: Derek Scarlino/Love and Rage)