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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UNITED LABOR UNIONS LOCAL 100 & A COMMUNITY VOICE
United Labor Unions Local 100 and A Community Voice Louisiana, were appointed to a new Louisiana Contraflow Task Force created by the Legislature of Louisiana, established to implement safety mechanisms such as sirens to aid in alerting evacuations and other hazardous conditions. With the support of State Representative Matthew Willard and community support that championed the issue, HR127 was shepherded through the legislature.
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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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CAMEROON (ON EST ENSEMBLE):
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STRENGTHENING LOCAL DEMOCRACY: CITIZEN WORKSHOPS IN DOUALA NEIGHBORHOODS
Throughout May residents in the areas of Bepanda Bonamoussongo, Bonewonda, Makepe, and Missoke neighborhoods gathered to prioritize their concerns. These citizen's assemblies made it possible to identify citizen campaigns to engage together on the issue of safety, access to drinking water, public lighting and electricity. Residents conducted weighted votes to prioritize the issues of concern.
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MAY CHAPTER ASSEMBLY IN DOUALA
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COLLECTING CHAPTER DUES
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ORGANIZATION OF SEASONAL WORKERS AT SOSUCAM: EXPANDED COMMITTEE TO COMPLETE THE UNION OFFICE
A field survey carried in Nkoteng and Mbandjock revealed the urgency of supporting seasonal sugar cane workers in building a union. The association discovered that the seasonal worker can do 30 years of service at Sosucam with only temporary contracts. These workers perform titanic tasks on a daily basis for a base salary below 60,000F and are unevenly distributed premiums.
The Sosucam workers do not benefit from any form of protection against toxic products and even less from health coverage - elements that justified the urgency of developing a union of seasonal workers.
Hence the launch of the Syndicate of Seasonal Workers of Sosucam de la Haute Sanaga. On Saturday May 28, 2022, a meeting of the elective committee was held to complete the members of the union office.
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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.
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GRENOBLE APPROVES WEARING BURKINI IN POOLS
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PUEBLO NUEVO, GARIFUNA & PUERTO CORTES
ACORN assisted schools and neighborhoods in multiple sectors to initiate reforestation processes.
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LA LAGUNA
Torch protests draw attention to the lack of electric lighting in the streets.
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CHOLOMA
ACORN participated in a meeting with the mayor's office aiming to initiate a process to address the issue of domestic violence in the area of Lopez Arellano
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ALSO...
PUERTO CORTES
ACORN members protest the mayor's office staff giving themselves salary increases
LOPEZ ARELLANO
ACORN members protest increased transportation fares
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GHAZIABAD:
Informal waste collectors recognize world environment day
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LIMA:
ACORN PERÙ is supporting the facilitation of FREE Vaccines against COVID-19 with the MINISTRY OF HEALTH to reach maximum coverage aimed at the Prevention of COVID-19
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As a facilitator in the extremely poor communities of San Juan de Lurigancho, ACORN carried out joint actions with DIRIS Lima Centro, Cruz de Motupe Health Center, HUASCAR-II-SJL-MINSA Health Center, RENIEC, ULE DE LA MUNICIPALITY OF SAN JUAN DE LURIGANCHO AND EL MIDIS, WE WERE IN THE COMMUNITIES, Grassroots Organizations (soup kitchens called COMMON POT) and community leaders.
ACORN’s facilitation allowed the poor populations opportunity to access services without the added burdens of travel. The services provided include:
- Free Comprehensive Health Insurance (SIS) for children and older adults; and
- PENSION 65 – a government subsidy for poor older adults.
In addition, free health campaigns have been carried out to provide:
- Comprehensive health care for children and adults
- Dental Health
- Psychology and mental health
- Application of the vaccine against COVID-19
- Nutrition
- Prevention of DENGUE
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ACORN PERÙ’s work with schoolchildren, promotes values and education and, on May 31, included “Non-Smoking Day” to raise awareness of cigarette smoke’s effects on health. Actions have also been carried out to plant or GERMINATE seeds, as part of our "SEEDING LIVES PROJECT" in Defense of the Environment
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ENGLAND & WALES
In May, ACORN The Union celebrated 8 years in England & Wales. They took it as an opportunity to reflect on their beginnings, past victories, and plans for winning the future!
The confirmation of the Renters’ Reform Bill in the next Parliamentary year, brought good news to England’s private renters, ACORN, and others in the Renters’ Reform Coalition. Focus will shift to ensuring that the legislation delivers the change that renters need and guarantees safe, secure & affordable housing for all!
Across England & Wales local groups and branches stay busy. |
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BIRMINGHAM & BRIGHTON
Members call for an end to housing discrimination in in Birmingham and Brighton.
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HARINGEY
In Haringey, members launched a ‘Pools for People’ campaign demanding proper services to the community.
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LEEDS & MANCHESTER
In Leeds members press ahead with their ‘Ban Slumlords’ campaign and Manchester demands landlord licensing.
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LOCKLEAZE & BRISTOL
Lockleaze and Bristol campaign for road safety measures.
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NEWCASTLE & BRISTOL
In Newcastle and Bristol, members are campaigning for the reopening of public toilets.
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OXFORD
Oxford marks 1 month of the ‘nans & granddads’ rent strike.
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WALES
In addition to the many upcoming anniversaries in June, last month, members in Wales celebrated an ACORN wedding. Congrats!
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SCOTLAND
LIVING RENT
Members came together to showcase a collective vision for housing in Scotland. They gathered over 6,000 endorsements for their response to the Scottish Government’s consultation.
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Living Rent continues to support members with eviction defense and secure several wins in the last months. Such wins are an important reminder of the power of community action coming together to fight and WIN!
Living Rent Campaigns continued in Castlemilk, Shawlands, Barrowfield, and Dennistoun. The campaigns aimed at improving living conditions; demands for social housing and community space; and demonstrations to gain support for improved health and safety measures for within living quarters and public spaces.
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 ACORN's 52nd Anniversary is June 18, 2022
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ON EST ENSEMBLE'S CELEBRATES 5 YEARS 
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Don't miss the biggest social justice event of the year!
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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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AFRICA
ACCESS TO DRINKING WATER FOR ALL: CHOLERA RESURRECTION IN PRECARIOUS AREAS
Facing the resurgence of cholera, AfricaCircle TV web television conducted a mini-survey in the precarious neighborhoods of Douala by the OnEstEnsemble association.
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CANADA
HAMILTON
When there’s not much of a choice, Hamilton renters hold on to what they have
Teviah Moro The Hamilton Spectator Thu., May 12, 2022
- Wilfred Corneau is bracing for a fight to keep his home of nearly 20 years in east Hamilton…
Hamilton residents urge city to make affordable housing mandatory along LRT route
Dan Taekema · CBC News · May 16, 2022
- ACORN's Mountain co-chair Marnie Schurter said the group wants a "bold" policy with a minimum of 40 per cent affordable housing in all condos and ...
LONDON
London tenants seek rent control from next Ontario government
Andrew Graham Global News May 17, 2022
- A group that advocates for tenants in London, Ont., who are struggling with affordability says rent control for all units is among its top demands for the next political party to form Ontario’s government.
TORONTO:
Peel ACORN calls for provincial rent control, amid calls to action for upgrades to Ardglen apartment building Boardwalk
Alexandra Heck Toronto Star May 30, 2022
- On May 18, Tanya Burkart, a resident of 55 Ardglen Dr. and member of Peel ACORN, stood in the back parking lot of her building speaking to neighbors ...
It’s time for Toronto to create an affordable high-speed internet network
Gonzalez Rendon The Record May 21, 2022
- Toronto ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now) members have been fighting for affordable, high-speed internet since 2013 ...
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FRANCE
GRENOBLE
Grenoble approves wearing the burkini in public swimming pools after lengthy debate
Richard Schittly May 17, 2022 Le Monde
- The Grenoble mayor's majority has crumbled under pressure after a change to public swimming pool rules allowing the wearing of the burkini was finally adopted by a narrow margin of two votes….
France to challenge Grenoble’s move to allow burkinis in public pools
Kim Willsher in Paris THE GUARDIAN Wed 18 May 2022
- The French government is to challenge a city council’s decision to allow bathers to wear the burkini – a full-body swimsuit – in its pools.
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INDIA
NEW DELHI
Delhi fire glare on new labour law risk: Rights body
Basant Kumar Mohanty 16.05.22 The Telegraph India
- A labour rights body has cited Friday’s fire in Delhi that killed 30 workers to express the fear that workplace tragedies will become more frequent after the upcoming implementation of a new labour law that it says will exempt 85 per cent of establishments from following certain occupational safety norms…
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