As ACORN Members have been doing since 1970: Our members work on the issues that matter to low and moderate-income families in their communities, homes, and workplaces.
Our chapters around the world have been getting out, getting active, getting heard, and winning some major victories!
Find out how below!
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LABOR NEIGHBOR RESEARCH CENTER
The RURAL POWER PROJECT conducted a five-year follow-up to a 2016 expose and found that little had changed in democratic and diverse representation on rural electricity cooperative governing boards. Published in Volume 52 Issue 1 of Social Policy, the report highlighted that the change that did occur in the twelve southern states was in inches, not miles.
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UNITED LABOR UNIONS LOCAL 100 & A COMMUNITY VOICE
Unions Local 100 and A Community Voice Louisiana, were appointed to a new Louisiana Contraflow Task Force created by the Louisiana Legislature. The "task force" was established to implement safety mechanisms such as sirens to aid in alerting evacuations and other hazardous conditions.
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KABF 88.3 FM THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE
ACORN Affiliate, KABF has been featured in JT Tarpley's documentary, "88.3 FM & The Voice of the People," is available online for free viewing until Thursday, May 19.
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WORKERS ORGANIZING & SUPPORT CENTER
Workers Organizing is a project of ACORN International and Labor Neighbor Research and Training Center designed to resource workers with the knowledge needed to organize their co-workers and win changes. https://workersorganizingsupportcenter.org/
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ACORN CAMEROON NATIONAL BOARD
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SOSUCAM SEASONAL EMPLOYEES GO ON STRIKE AGAIN
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FACED WITH THE LACK OF PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT, AGRICULTURAL WORKERS MOBILIZE
On April 8, 2022, 300 SOSUCAM planters dropped off their tools and stopped work at the Mbandjock plantation to claim PPE. Two days later, 700 workers from the Nkoteng plantation went on strike.
The small plant campaign started on March 21 and lasted approximately 3 months. These workers usually receive their work equipment on the first day of work. This equipment is essential to protect against cuts, snakes, scorpions and spiders, or bad weather.
“Since the start of the plant work, we have not received any personal protective equipment. When we ask for them, we receive scorn from the supervisors. It's been 3 weeks already and the rains have started. We demand decent working conditions” Thomas, planter.
In the end, management was pressured to meet the workers' demands and 1,200 planters received gloves, coats, boots and leggings! It is a great victory for these precarious seasonal workers organizing themselves within the SOSUCAM seasonal workers' union to defend their interests and obtain more dignified working conditions.
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VICTORY FOR RESIDENTS OF BEPANDA PETIT WOURI
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ACCESS TO DRINKING WATER FOR ALL: RESIDENTS WIN WATER NETWORK EXTENSION IN THE DISTRICT
After more than three years of struggle for access to drinking water, the inhabitants of Bepanda Petit Wouri are delighted with the start of work to extend the urban water networks in the district.
As part of the improvement of the service of access to drinking water, the residents of 3 districts (Bepanda petit Wouri, makepe maturity and Missoke) had called on November 23, 2021 the public company Camwater for the extension of the network which would facilitate water connections in households.
Thanks to this citizen mobilization, the Director General of the water distribution company in Cameroon (Camwater) invited the association to negotiate on February 18, 2022. The commitments were made, in particular the inclusion in the budget of the undertaken in 2022, the network extension project in the 3 districts concerned.
The excavation work began on April 11, 2022 and will extend to the other 2 districts.
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FAMILIES GRIEVE LOVED ONES LOST TO FATAL ACCIDENTS
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FACING THE INACTION OF THE MAYOR OF DOUALA, FAMILIES GATHER TO GRIEVE AND COMMEMORATE THEIR LOVED ONES LOST TO FATAL ACCIDENTS ON THE BOULEVARD
Wednesday April 27, 2022, twenty residents of "Boulevard Bonabo" (Bepanda Bonamoussongo) gathered in front of the "Palme d'or" primary and kindergarten school to challenge the Mayor of the City on the danger of this axis. Dressed in black and with candles, the inhabitants came to meditate on the sidewalk to testify to the deaths of their loved ones who have taken place on this road since the start of the work.
On November 23, 2020, the members of the association had already mobilized to challenge the Mayor for lack of a satisfactory reaction. Despite the audience granted by the Chief of the Military Engineering Staff and the promises made by the Department of Infrastructure Maintenance and Construction (DECI), the danger persists, no solution has been found. This is why the inhabitants of the district have decided to take action again.
They hope to obtain an audience with the Mayor of the city, who has so far refused to dialogue, and the implementation of effective solutions quickly.
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PUBLIC SPEAKING TRAINING FOR WOMEN
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ASSEMBLY OF THE MISSOKE CHAPTER OF ACORN IN DOUALA
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Subscribe to the digital pages:
facebook.com/OnEstEnsemble-1592766587434716/
YouTube channel: OnEstEnsemble Cameroun
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SAVE THE DATE: ACORN Canada's National Convention is coming up in June!
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NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION ON FAIR BANKING
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On March 31st, ACORN Canada held a National Day of Action on Fair Banking to call on the federal government to act on its commitment to crack down on predatory lending. Demonstrations were held in Hamilton, Ottawa, Toronto, London, and Nova Scotia. The multi-city demonstration coincided with the release of a new ACORN report showing that predatory lenders – Money Mart, Easy Financial, Cash Money and the like – preyed upon low- and moderate-income people during the pandemic.
To read the report, click here To read a summary of the report click here
ACORN will keep the pressure on to ensure that the federal government launches a consultation and starts the process of lowering the criminal rate of interest of installment loans from 60% to 30%.
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ACTION FOR DISABILITY RIGHTS
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April 13, 2022 The Ontario ACORN Day of Action on April 13, 2022 had over 100 members rallying on a virtual zoom, and at ODSP offices in Ottawa, Hamilton, London, Toronto, Brampton and Sudbury! The rain did not stop ACORN members from demonstrating their demands the provincial government to #RaiseTheRates and #StopTheClawbacks 🌧☔️🚩
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CHALKFARM SPEAKOUT
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On April 3, 2022 Twenty tenants and ACORN members held a speak out on the mistreatment they have experienced at the Greenwin property at 180 Chalkfarm. The Speak Out highlighted long-term issues with infestations of rats, roaches, and bedbugs; High repair charges; and dangerous elevators. ACORN members and tenants were joined by MPP Tom Rakocevic and Chief of Staff for Councillor Perruzza, Matias.
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GRENOBLE
#MyBodyMySwimmingsuit
The heroic civil disobedience actions of Muslim women union members in Grenoble won access for women to dress 'how they like' in open-air pools in the city.
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TEGUCIGALPA YOUTH PROGRAM SUPPORT
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TEGUCIGALPA
Meeting with one of the new Vice Presidents of Tegucigalpa (center) who agreed on monthly support of ACORN's youth program.
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WELL FIELD RESTORATION IN CHOLOMA
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Reforestation areas of the Puerto Cortes and Los Laureles areas in Choloma.
Here they have a natural water outlet that they consume for all uses. The well is in need of protection and conservation. Studies are carried out to be able to extend water pipes to the homes of the local population. The Restoration zone has approximately 43 kilometers for a lung of natural air in which they can plant avocados, oranges, lemons, guavas, lychas, etc., and the community can create a small trade in these fruits. And in the area of the water well about 15 kilometers.
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PUERTO CORTES: GARIFUNA COMMUNITY OF TRAVESIA
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MAY DAY RALLY IN MEXICO
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WORLD SOCIAL FORUM 2022
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WORLD SOCIAL FORUM 2022
UN DECLARATION OF RIGHT TO DEVELOPMENT
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RENTERS RALLY IN BRIGHTON
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ENGLAND & WALES
April was another big month for ACORN in England and Wales!
Hundreds of members were mobilized at Renters Rallies in 6 cities, putting pressure on MPs to make sure that the upcoming Renters’ Reform Bill delivers the change that England’s renters need and deserve.
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SOCIAL HOUSING RALLY IN LONDON
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CARDIFF
With elections coming up for many next month, branches have been busy holding decision makers and candidates to account. ACORN Cardiff’s Renters’ Charter has gotten the backing of most parties, and Sheffield secured commitments from Mayoral candidates at a fantastic hustings.
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ACORN ARMLEY LAUNCH
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LEEDS
In Leeds, ACORN welcomed our newest local group, with the launch of ACORN Armley local group. On top of this, there were plenty of trainings, stalls, door knocking sessions, and members spoke at a Social Housing Action Campaign rally, Communication Workers Union conference and National Education Union conference.
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RENTERS REFORM IN SHEFFIELD
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OXFORD
ACORN Oxford celebrated a win, with the Government approving a landlord licensing scheme for all private rents in the city, and over-55 social housing residents in the city continue to get headlines with their campaign.
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Don't miss the biggest social justice event of the year!
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 ACORN's 51st Anniversary is June 18, 2022
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SAVE THE DATE:
July 2, 2022 will be the first national conference of ACORN UK in Sheffield.
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ACORN AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS
LABOR NEIGHBOR RESEARCH CENTER
Report: Racial diversity lacking at electric co-ops in the South, particularly in Arkansas
Max Brantley May 13, 2022 Arkansas Times
KABF 88.3 THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE
Production costs low, enabling filmmakers
Philip Martin May 13, 2022 Arkansas Democrat Gazette
- JT Tarpley’s “observational” documentary “88.3 FM & the Voice of the People,” is streaming for free until Thursday at https://www.883doc.com/
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CANADA
HAMILTON
ACORN wants to close the digital divide
Local group asks for internet access regardless of income
Barry Gray Wed, April 6, 2022 THE HAMILTON SPECTATOR
HAMILTON MOUNTAIN
WHAT’S GOING ON HERE?: Acorn rally for affordable homes on Hamilton Mountain
Mark Newman, Tue., April 12, 2022 The Spec
Hamilton Mountain townhouse residents refuse to give up affordable units
Mike Pearson Mon., April 18, 2022 The Spec Hamilton Mountain
NEW BRUNSWICK
May Day evictions show Higgs government’s failure to act, tenants’ rights groups say
Opinion: New Brunswick needs stronger renter protection laws
New Brunswick Coalition for Tenants Rights and ACORN NB May 4, 2022 NB Media Coop
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ENGLAND
LONDON
Calls for affordable housing as federal minister stops in London
Bryan Bicknell April 14, 2022 CTV News London
BRISTOL
'Dangerous' speeding issue needs urgent action, says Lockleaze locals
JJ Donoghue 2 MAY 2022 Bristol Post
"It's frustrating that my kids can't play outside because it's so dangerous"
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FRANCE
The Female Soccer Players Challenging France’s Hijab Ban
France’s soccer federation forbids hijab-wearing women from competing in soccer games, even though FIFA allows them. A collective of Muslim players is fighting what it considers a discriminatory rule.
Constant Méheut, The New York Times April 18, 2022
French mayor reignites burkini row with pool rule proposal
Grenoble mayor wants swimmers to dress ‘how they like’, including topless or in full-body suits
Angelique Chrisafis Fri 13 May 2022 The Gaurdian
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INDIA
The Compound13 Lab in Dharavi has been featured in two prominent reports.
In the Sustainability chapter of "Shaping Our Cities andUrban Spaces," UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) highlights the empowerment of the 'rag-pickers' to help innovate safe and sustainable approaches to plastic recycling.
The C13 Lab, "cited as an example of ‘best practice’ at GCRF summits in New Delhi and London," was also highlighted as a case study in the Scottish Funding Council's report, "Scotland's Research Contribution to National and International Challenges."
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UK
ACORN holds demonstrations in six cities calling for ‘cheap rent’ and more PRS regulation
Nigel Lewis 11th April 2022 Landlord Zone
Renters Rally for Serious Reform to Protect Tenants
Morning Star
LONDON
Calls for affordable housing as federal minister stops in London
Bryan Bicknell April 14, 2022 CTV News London
BRISTOL
'Dangerous' speeding issue needs urgent action, says Lockleaze locals
JJ Donoghue 2 MAY 2022 Bristol Post
"It's frustrating that my kids can't play outside because it's so dangerous"
WALES
Acorn renters charter backed by Plaid/Green alliance and Lib Dems
Twm Owen 28th April 2022 The National
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