Protesters from a number of Akron-area groups gathered Saturday afternoon on Cascade Plaza downtown to express their dissatisfaction with some of the new Trump administration’s policies, including his stated goals related to immigration.

The gathering, originally planned for Jan. 20 and rescheduled because of the weather, included representatives from the following groups:

  • Party for Socialism and Liberation
  • Palestinian Youth Movement
  • Democratic Socialists of America
  • Akron Palestine Solidarity Collective
  • Community Party USA

Greg Levy from the Party for Socialism and Liberation.
Greg Levy from the Party for Socialism and Liberation speaks in front of a crowd of protesters on Cascade Plaza downtown Saturday. Levy recognized Jazmir Tucker’s family in the crowd and called for an end to police violence. (Susan Zake / Signal Akron)
Protesters march north on South Main Street
Protesters march north on South Main Street in downtown Akron as they protest a number of issues such as deportation of immigrants and Palestinian rights. (Susan Zake / Signal Akron)
Protesters carrying a banner that says "Just let trans kids be TRANS"
Protesters carrying a banner that says “Just let trans kids be TRANS” march north on South Main Street in downtown Akron as they protest a number of issues such as deportation of immigrants and Palestinian rights. (Susan Zake / Signal Akron)
The Reverend John Beaty, right, and his wife, Linda, protest gun violence.
The Rev. John Beaty, right, and his wife, Linda, protest gun violence and support background checks as they participate in a protest on Akron’s Cascade Plaza downtown Saturday. (Susan Zake / Signal Akron)
Dr. Ahmad Jadallah, left, speaks in support of Palestinian rights.
Dr. Ahmad Jadallah, left, speaks in support of Palestinian rights during a protest Saturday on Akron’s Cascade Plaza downtown. A variety of progessive groups gathered to speak out about transgender rights, immigration, worker rights and other issues, including support for the family of Jazmir Tucker. (Susan Zake / Signal Akron)
Protest signs are posted in a pile of snow.
Protest signs are posted in a pile of snow on the edge of downtown Akron’s Cascade Plaza Saturday, Feb. 1, as people gather to highlight a number of issues such as deportation of immigrants and Palestinian rights. The group marched north on South Main Street before circling back to the plaza. (Susan Zake / Signal Akron)
Sierra Mason helps lead the chanting during a protest
Sierra Mason helps lead the chanting as protesters gather Saturday on downtown Akron’s Cascade Plaza. The group marched north on South Main Street in downtown Akron as they protested a number of issues such as deportation of immigrants and Palestinian rights. (Susan Zake / Signal Akron)
Protesters carrying banners turn the corner at South High Street.
Protesters carrying banners turn the corner at South High Street and East Mill Street as they head back toward Cascade Plaza in downtown Akron. Several progressive groups gathered to support trans rights and protest the deportation of immigrants and the treatment of Palestinians. (Susan Zake / Signal Akron)
Dunia Jaffal from the Palestinian Youth Movement.
Dunia Jaffal from the Palestinian Youth Movement speaks to a crowd of protesters gathered Saturday on downtown Akron’s Cascade Plaza. The diverse group raised a number of issues, from immigrant rights to Palestinian rights to recognizing the family of Jazmir Tucker, whose family participated in the event. (Susan Zake / Signal Akron)
A protester responds to one of the speakers on Cascade Plaza.
A protester responds to one of the speakers on Cascade Plaza in downtown Akron Saturday. Several progressive groups gathered to support trans rights and protest the deportation of immigrants, indigenous rights and the treatment of Palestinians, among other issues. (Susan Zake / Signal Akron)
Protesters rest their signs as they listen to speakers on Cascade Plaza.
Protesters rest their signs as they listen to speakers on Cascade Plaza downtown Saturday, Feb. 1. Pro-Palestinian, communist, socialist and other speakers representing a number of progressive groups were present. (Susan Zake / Signal Akron)

Editor-in-Chief (she/her)
Zake has deep roots in Northeast Ohio journalism. She was the managing editor for multimedia and special projects at the Akron Beacon Journal, where she began work as a staff photographer in 1986. Over a 20-year career, Zake worked in a variety of roles across departments that all help inform her current role as Signal Akron's editor in chief. Most recently, she was a journalism professor and student media adviser at Kent State University, where she worked with the next generation of journalists to understand public policy, environmental reporting, data and solutions reporting. Among her accomplishments was the launch of the Kent State NewsLab, an experiential and collaborative news commons that connects student reporters with outside professional partners.