CLEVELAND — Dallas Eckman is an organizer for the Party of Social and Liberation's Cleveland chapter, rallying up community members and helping them take on the streets of Ohio to protest the president’s emerging political agenda.


What You Need To Know

  • PSL Cleveland banded together a broad coalition of organizers and community members in protest of the new presidential agenda

  • Since being sworn in as the 47th president, Donald Trump has signed a record-number of executive orders that could reverse long-standing policies from previous administrations

  • Local organizers said they’re goal is to connect with and mobilize the community as the next four years could bring about significant legislative changes

The event is a collaboration between local grassroots organizers, Eckman said, including New Era Cleveland, several faith-based groups and union workers, taking place at Market Square outside of downtown Cleveland. The PSL march comes after a historic start to Trump’s presidency as he signed more executive orders than any other president during their first day in office. According to White House officials, the president is working to secure the border, increase government transparency and reinstate merit-based hiring for federal government positions.

Protestors, on the other hand, said Trump’s actions fuel uncertainty and may not lead to immediate solutions.

“The serious reality is none of those executive orders are going to fix working people's lives if they voted for Trump or didn't," Eckman said. "Those are not going to address their problems."

Eckman said they’re gathering with the hopes of achieving one goal.

“Getting organized is that simple,” he said. “We need to be in community. We need to be in organizations. We need to be together.”

Sara Fadlalla was one of more than 100 protestors braving the cold to fight for the cause.

“Targeting immigrants and like, taking away workers rights, like, these are all things that are not going to fly with all of us,” Falalla said.

She said Saturday marked only the beginning of their journey in advocating for equity.

“There's a lot of, enthusiasm … looking forward towards the future,” she said. “But there's also that realization that, our work is cut out for us for the next four years. So…we're going to have to lean on community and build that community that we want to see.”

Still, Eckman said he’s in it for the long-run, and is encouraging others to do the same.

“It is not the time to turn inward,” Eckman said. “It's not the time to become an individual. It's not the time to rely on yourself. It's the time to join others in a fight.”