Photos: Activists vow to protest at Councilman Kevin de León’s home until he resigns over sexual harassment allegations Share Shares Copy Link Copy
(Cleveland.com) As of Tuesday, more than two dozen groups have pledged to participate in a day of civil disobedience at Councilman Kevin de León’s home in northside Cleveland. The organizers say any demonstrators not willing to risk arrest are welcome to do so at his offices. The demonstrators say they have the right to protest peacefully. “I was born and raised in Cleveland. I am very proud to call myself a Cuyahogaian,” activist and Occupy Cleveland organizer Mike Bonsignore said Tuesday morning. “I am also very proud to have lived a life of protest. I have always loved to stand up for what I believe in. And the same core values apply to Kevin.” The Councilman has repeatedly defended himself against accusations he engaged in unwanted sexual advances and unwanted sexual contact after the woman, Alina Daschbach, complained about the unwelcome attention when she was just 15 years old and still at school in the United States. “I’ve been working so hard to make Cleveland a better place for our young people, and I will continue to fight until it is. I hope, with all of my heart, to be able to do this day justice.” Alina Daschbach says she is currently in Germany and hopes to return home to Cleveland for her sister’s birthday. Daschbach says she is speaking out about the harassment because she believes so strongly in the power of people coming together to challenge injustice. “This has been going on way too long. I don’t believe that it should go on in Cleveland. But because of the power of the internet there is no choice.” Daschbach told Cleveland.com her family and friends are very upset about the harassment allegations. “I know that Alina is a very strong woman, and I also know that if she wasn’t, she wouldn’t be making these allegations.” Cleveland.com also spoke with Daschbach’s father who says his daughter will not be silenced. “My daughter will not be silenced. If she is, she won’t have a voice. And I don’t think it’s right that the