ACORN, the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, is the largest community organization of low and moderate-income families in the United States^{[citation needed]}. ACORN has an active membership of over 200,000 families, organized into more than 1200 neighborhood chapters in more than 110 cities across the United States, as well as in Argentina, Canada, Mexico, and Peru.^{[citation needed]} As a community group, ACORN is non-profit, non-violent, and politically non-partisan.^{[citation needed]} The organization was born out of the American Civil Rights Movement. ACORN was founded by Wade Rathke, a community and labor organizer, in 1970.^{[citation needed]} The current president of ACORN is Maude Hurd.^{[citation needed]} Community organizing is a process by which people are brought together to act in common self-interest. ... A non-profit organization (often called non-profit org or simply non-profit or not-for-profit) can be seen as an organization that doesnt have a goal to make a profit. ... Nonviolence (or non-violence) is a set of assumptions about morality conflict that leads its proponents to reject the use of violence in efforts to attain social or political goals. ... This article is becoming very long. ... Wade Rathke, the founder and Chief Organizer of ACORN and SEIU Local 100, AFL-CIO, has been a professional organizer for thirty-five years. ... 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1970 calendar). ...

ACORN groups win reform through direct actions, negotiations, and working with public officials. Direct action is a form of political activism which seeks immediate remedy for perceived ills, as opposed to indirect actions such as electing representatives who promise to provide remedy at some later date. ...

ACORN is a national organization made up of local community groups working together.

Image File history File links ACORNlogo. ... Image File history File links ACORNlogo. ...

Issues and actions

Predatory lending

ACORN has fought lending practices that it sees as predatory by targeting the national companies that practice them, working for stronger state laws against predatory practices, organizing against local financial scams, and steering individuals toward loan counseling.^{[citation needed]} Predatory lending is the industry professional practice of using a borrower’s ignorance against them for profit. ...

Following a three-year campaign to reform the lending practices of Household International, one of the largest subprime lenders in the country, on November 25, 2003, ACORN and Household (now owned by HSBC Holdings and renamed HSBC Finance Corporation) announced a proposed settlement of a national class-action lawsuit that ACORN brought against the company in 2002.^{[citation needed]} The centerpiece of the settlement is a $72 million Foreclosure Avoidance Program which will provide relief to Household borrowers who are behind on their payments and at risk of losing their homes.^{[citation needed]} This settlement came on the heels of an earlier $484 million settlement between Household, attorney generals, and bank regulators from all 50 US states.^{[citation needed]} November 25 is the 329th (in leap years the 330th) day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... HSBC Holdings plc (LSE: HSBA, SEHK: 005, NYSE: HBC, Euronext: HSBC, BSX: 1077223879) is one of the largest banking groups in the world, ranked the fifth-largest company and third-largest banking company in the world in Forbes Global 2000. ... HSBC Finance Corporation is a financial services company and a member of the HSBC Group. ... For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ...

In early 2003, ACORN began efforts to seek similar reforms from Wells Fargo. At ACORN's national convention in 2004, three thousand ACORN members presented Wells Fargo with a lawsuit.^{[citation needed]} A typical Wells Fargo branch, located in Berkeley, California Wells Fargo & Co. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Living wages

Living wage ordinances require private businesses, usually only those that do business with the government, to pay their workers a wage that enables them to afford basic necessities. ACORN is a leader in the national living wage movement and has passed local living wage laws in fifteen cities including Chicago, Oakland, Denver, and New York City.^{[citation needed]} ACORN maintains the Living Wage Resource Center, which provides strategy and logistical assistance to organization nationwide. Living wage refers to the minimum hourly wage necessary for a person to achieve a basic standard of living. ... Flag Seal Nickname: The Windy City Motto: Urbs In Horto (Latin: City in a Garden), I Will Location Location in Chicagoland and northern Illinois Coordinates , Government Country State Counties United States Illinois Cook, DuPage Mayor Richard M. Daley (D) Geographical characteristics Area     City 606. ... Oakland, founded in 1852, is a major American city on the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay in Northern California in the United States. ... Nickname: The Mile-High City Location of Denver in Colorado Coordinates: City-County Denver (coextensive) Founded November 22, 1858 Incorporated November 7, 1861 Mayor John Hickenlooper (D) Area    - City 401. ... Nickname: Big Apple Location in the state of New York Coordinates: Country United States State New York Boroughs Bronx (The Bronx) New York (Manhattan) Queens (Queens) Kings (Brooklyn) Richmond (Staten Island) Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R) Area    - City 1,214. ...

Katrina Relief

ACORN members across the country, particularly those in the Gulf region, have organized fundraising and organizing drives to ensure that victims of Hurricane Katrina will receive assistance and the right of return to affected areas.^{[citation needed]} Since the storm ACORN has been at the forefront of recovery activities. The Home Cleanout Demonstration Program has gutted and saved over 1,450 homes with the help of volunteers.^{[citation needed]} The ACORN Katrina Survivors Association formed in the aftermath of the storm is the first nationwide organization for Katrina survivors^{[citation needed]} and has been fighting for equitable treatment for victims. Thousands of displaced citizens were bused into the city to make their voice heard for the New Orleans primary and general elections.^{[citation needed]} ACORN Housing Services have helped more than 2,000 homeowners affected by the storm and is an official planner working with the city on reconstruction.^{[citation needed]} Lowest pressure 902 mbar (hPa; 26. ...

Education

ACORN pushes education reform usually in the form of organizing neighborhood groups and "community" or "ACORN schools". It also frequently combats charter school and for-profit schooling initiatives (most notably the proposed Edison Schools takeover of the New York City public schools in 2001).^{[citation needed]} Education reform is a plan, program, or movement which attempts to bring about a systematic change in educational theory or practice across a community or society. ... Charter schools are publicly funded elementary or secondary schools that have been freed from some of the rules, regulations, and statutes that apply to other public schools, in exchange for some type of accountability for producing certain results, which are set forth in each charter schools charter. ... Edison Schools are a type of American public school which is run for profit. ... Nickname: Big Apple Location in the state of New York Coordinates: Country United States State New York Boroughs Bronx (The Bronx) New York (Manhattan) Queens (Queens) Kings (Brooklyn) Richmond (Staten Island) Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R) Area    - City 1,214. ... 2001: A Space Odyssey. ...

Affordable housing

By organizing tenant unions, pushing for inclusionary zoning, and ensuring fair and increased access to low-interest home loans,^{[citation needed]} ACORN has sought to extend the possibility of homeownership to all people. Inclusionary zoning, also know as inclusionary housing, refers to city planning ordinances that require a given share of new construction be affordable to people with low to moderate incomes. ...

In the 1980s, ACORN members fought banks that were refusing to give home loans to people living in low income and minority neighborhoods.^{[citation needed]} The practice is called redlining, and is now illegal as a result of campaigns by ACORN and other organizations.^{[citation needed]} Redlining is the practice of denying or increasing the cost of services, such as banking or insurance, to residents of certain areas. ...

Additionally, ACORN created a loan counseling program called ACORN Housing.^{[citation needed]} ACORN Housing is distinct organization from ACORN, though the two work closely together to increase home ownership.

Environmentalism

Along with establishing laws requiring and laws promoting the prevention of childhood lead poisoning,^{[citation needed]} ACORN has won clean-up of work sites and housing units contaminated by lead, asbestos, and mold.^{[citation needed]} Around the country, thousands of ACORN members participate in ACORN National Clean Up Day, clearing abandoned lots, restoring neighborhood parks, and turning illegal dumping areas into community space.^{[citation needed]} Once these sites are cleaned and reclaimed, the local government or owner of the site commits to ensuring that the area is properly maintained.^{[citation needed]} Lead poisoning is a medical condition, also known as saturnism, plumbism or painters colic, caused by increased blood serum lead levels. ... General Name, Symbol, Number lead, Pb, 82 Chemical series poor metals Group, Period, Block 14, 6, p Appearance bluish white Atomic mass 207. ... Fibrous asbestos on muscovite Asbestos Asbestos Asbestos (a misapplication of Latin: asbestos quicklime from Greek : a, not and sbestos, extinguishable) describes any of a group of minerals that can be fibrous, many of which are metamorphic and are hydrous magnesium silicates. ... Moldy bread Moldy nectarines Molds, or moulds, are fungi that grow in the form of mycelia and usually produce masses of spores, which are most commonly asexual but sometimes sexual. ...

Additionally, ACORN has won emissions monitoring from factories near neighborhoods and schools, and closures of industrial plants that caused public health problems.^{[citation needed]} The word emission generally means sending something out. ...

Immigrant rights

ACORN has fought for the rights of undocumented immigrants.^{[citation needed]} ACORN has promoted amnesty for such workers, most notably at a rally in Chicago in 2000^{[citation needed]} and as a major sponsor of the Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride Coalition.^{[citation needed]} Although human migration has existed for hundreds of thousands of years, immigration in the modern sense refers to movement of people from one nation-state to another, where they are not citizens. ... This article is about the year 2000. ...

Voter registration

ACORN has engaged in large-scale voter registration projects in several states, most notably Florida and Pennsylvania,^{[citation needed]} where the proportion of minorities voting has been less than their proportion of the population.^{[citation needed]} In 2004, ACORN registered over one million voters throughout the United States.^{[citation needed]} This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Official language(s) None Capital Harrisburg Largest city Philadelphia Area  Ranked 33rd  - Total 46,055 sq mi (119,283 km²)  - Width 160 miles (255 km)  - Length 280 miles (455 km)  - % water 2. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

History

1970-1975: Founding and early growth

ACORN was founded by Wade Rathke when he was sent to Little Rock, Arkansas by the National Welfare Rights Organization (NWRO) in 1970 as an organizer.^{[citation needed]} Gary Delgado and George A. Wiley were also instrumental to ACORN's founding.^{[citation needed]} The first campaign was aimed at helping welfare recipients attain their basic needs, such as clothing and furniture.^{[citation needed]} This drive, inspired by a clause in the Arkansas welfare laws,^{[citation needed]} began the effort to create and sustain a movement that would grow to become the Arkansas Community Organizations for Reform Now – the original ACORN. Wade Rathke, the founder and Chief Organizer of ACORN and SEIU Local 100, AFL-CIO, has been a professional organizer for thirty-five years. ... Flag Seal Nickname: The Capital City, Rock-Town, City of Roses Location Government Country  State   County United States  Arkansas   Pulaski Founded Incorporated 1821 1831 Mayor Jim Dailey Geographical characteristics Area    - City 302. ... We dont have an article called National Welfare Rights Organization Start this article Search for National Welfare Rights Organization in. ... 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1970 calendar). ... It has been suggested that folding clothes be merged into this article or section. ... A Shaker chair. ... Official language(s) English Capital Little Rock Largest city Little Rock Area  Ranked 29th  - Total 53,179 sq mi (137,732 km²)  - Width 239 miles (385 km)  - Length 261 miles (420 km)  - % water 2. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

ACORN's goal was to unite welfare recipients with needy working people around issues of free school lunches, unemployment issues, Vietnam veterans' rights, and emergency room care.^{[citation needed]} The broad range of issues did not stop there as the organization grew throughout Arkansas. ACORN organized farmers to take on environmental issues concerning sulfur emmssions.^{[citation needed]} Working poor is a term used to describe individuals and families who maintain regular employment but remain in relative poverty due to low levels of pay and dependent expenses. ... An 1837 political cartoon about unemployment in the United States. ... Vietnam veteran is a phrase used to describe someone who served in the armed forces of participating countries during the Vietnam War. ... The emergency room is the American English term for a room, or group of rooms, within a hospital that is designed for the treatment of urgent and medical emergencies. ... Agriculture (a term which encompasses farming) is the process of producing food, feed, fiber and other goods by the systematic raising of plants and animals. ... Environmentalism is the advocation of preservation, restoration, and/or improvement of the natural environment, such as the control of air pollution. ... General Name, Symbol, Number sulfur, S, 16 Chemical series nonmetals Group, Period, Block 16, 3, p Appearance lemon yellow Atomic mass 32. ...

Meanwhile, in 1972 back in Little Rock, ACORN was holding neighborhood rallies on a variety of issues,^{[citation needed]} endorsing candidates for local office^{[citation needed]} and eventually had members running for office themselves in 1974.^{[citation needed]} 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ...

1975-1980: Growth of the movement

In 1975, ACORN became a multi-state organization with new branches in Texas and South Dakota.^{[citation needed]} On December 13, sixty leaders from the three ACORN states elected the first associate Executive Board and the first ACORN president, Steve McDonald, to deal with matters beyond the scope of the individual city and state boards.^{[citation needed]} Each year thereafter saw three or more states join ACORN with a total of twenty states in 1980.^{[citation needed]} 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday. ... Official language(s) See: Languages of Texas Capital Austin Largest city Houston Area  Ranked 2nd  - Total 268,581 sq mi (695,622 km²)  - Width 773 miles (1,244 km)  - Length 790 miles (1,270 km)  - % water 2. ... Official language(s) English Capital Pierre Largest city Sioux Falls Area  Ranked 17th  - Total 77,163 sq mi (199,905 km²)  - Width 210 miles (340 km)  - Length 380 miles (610 km)  - % water 1. ... December 13 is the 347th day of the year (348th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Steven Shane McDonald (born May 24, 1967) is the bass player in the Los Angeles alternative rock/power pop band, Redd Kross in the 1980s and 1990s. ... 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday. ...

The great expansion of the organization led to multi-state campaigns beginning with a mass meeting of 1,000 members in Memphis in 1978.^{[citation needed]} At the end of the conference, ACORN convention delegates marched on the Democratic Party conference with the outline of a nine-point “People’s Platform" which would go on to become the foundation of the organization's platform when it was ratified in 1979.^{[citation needed]} Flag Seal Nickname: The River City, The Bluff City, M-Town Location Location in Shelby County and the state of Tennessee Coordinates , Government Country State Counties United States Tennessee Shelby County Mayor W. W. Herenton (D) Geographical characteristics Area     City 294. ... 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday. ... The Democratic Party is one of two major political parties in the United States, the other being the Republican Party. ... This page refers to the year 1979. ...

ACORN was heavily involved in the 1980 Election with the "People's Platform" serving as its standard bearer.^{[citation needed]} Demonstrations aimed at both major party candidates including demands to meet with President Jimmy Carter, marching on the president's campaign finance committee chair's home, and presenting the platform to the GOP platform committee.^{[citation needed]} Presidential electoral votes by state. ... A man carries a sign at the September 24, 2005 anti-war protest, a demonstration in Washington, D.C. American Civil Rights March on Washington, leaders marching from the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial, August 28, 1963. ... James Earl Jimmy Carter, Jr. ... The Republican Party, often called the GOP (for Grand Old Party, although one early citation described it as the Gallant Old Party) [1], is one of the two major political parties in the United States. ...

1980-1988: Reagan Era

ACORN’S staff was stretched thin by the demands of meeting the goal of expanding to twenty states by 1980.^{[citation needed]} Much of its resources and energy had been dedicated to participating in the presidential primaries and national conventions of the Republican and Democratic Parties. ACORN launched a campaign to obtain affordable housing which resulted in squatting campaigns.^{[citation needed]} ACORN took the concept a step further though by encouraging people to move into a vacant, usually poorly kept house and to refit it for comfortable living.^{[citation needed]} It also involved the risk of arrest for breaking and entering and trespassing. 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday. ... The Chien Rouge in Lausanne, a squat held in the old hospital. ... A sign warning against trespassing In law, trespass can be: the criminal act of going into somebody elses land or property without permission of the owner or lessee; it is also a civil law tort that may be a valid cause of action to seek judicial relief and possibly...

In June of 1982 ACORN sponsored "Reagan Ranches" in over 35 cities believing the president's focus to be on military as opposed to social spending.^{[citation needed]} "Reagan Ranches" were tent cities erected nationally for two days and met with serious resistance from the National Park Service who tried repeatedly to evict ACORN tenters.^{[citation needed]} The protesters remained and then marched on the White House and testified before a Congressional committee about what they described as the housing crisis in America.^{[citation needed]} The Republican Convention in Dallas, Texas in 1984 was the culminating "Reagan Ranch". 1982 (MCMLXXXII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Ronald Wilson Reagan (February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004) was the 40th President of the United States (1981–1989), and the 33rd Governor of California (1967–1975). ... The National Park Service (NPS) is the United States federal agency that manages all National Parks, many National Monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations. ... North façade of the White House, seen from Pennsylvania Avenue. ... Seal of the U.S. Congress. ... ·· Nickname: Big D Location in the state of Texas Country United States State Texas Counties Dallas, Collin, Denton, Kaufman, and Rockwall Mayor Laura Miller Area    - City 997. ... 1984 (MCMLXXXIV) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

In addition to protesting ACORN also developed and strengthened its political action committees and encouraged its members to run for office. For the 1984 Election ACORN wanted to endorse a candidate, setting a 75% support in polls among members as its requirement.^{[citation needed]} No candidate reached that level, though there was strong support for Jesse Jackson. A legislative office was also established in Washington, DC.^{[citation needed]} In the United States, a political action committee, or PAC, is the name commonly given to a private group organized to elect or defeat government officials in order to promote legislation, often supporting the groups special interests. ... Presidential electoral votes by state. ... Jesse Jackson Jesse Louis Jackson (born October 8, 1941) is an American politician, civil rights activist, and Baptist minister. ... Aerial photo (looking NW) of the Washington Monument and the White House in Washington, DC. Washington, D.C., officially the District of Columbia (also known as D.C.; Washington; the Nations Capital; the District; and, historically, the Federal City) is the capital city and administrative district of the United...

During this period ACORN also focused on local election reform in a number of cities, including Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Columbia, South Carolina, and Sioux Falls, South Dakota encouraging the change of at-large legislative bodies to district representation.^{[citation needed]} Nickname: Steel City, Iron City, City of Champions, City of Bridges, City of Colleges Location in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania Coordinates: Country United States State Pennsylvania County Allegheny County Founded 1758 Mayor Luke Ravenstahl (D) Area    - City 151. ... Nickname: The Capital of Southern Hospitality, The Metro Location in Richland County, South Carolina Country United States State South Carolina Counties Richland and Lexington Mayor Bob Coble (D) Area    - City 346. ... Sioux Falls (pronounced soo falls) is the largest city in the state of South Dakota. ...

ACORN grew to twenty-seven states, adding chapters in New York City, Washington, DC, and Chicago, Illinois by the end of Reagan's first term.^{[citation needed]} Nickname: Big Apple Location in the state of New York Coordinates: Country United States State New York Boroughs Bronx (The Bronx) New York (Manhattan) Queens (Queens) Kings (Brooklyn) Richmond (Staten Island) Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R) Area    - City 1,214. ... Flag Seal Nickname: The Windy City Motto: Urbs In Horto (Latin: City in a Garden), I Will Location Location in Chicagoland and northern Illinois Coordinates , Government Country State Counties United States Illinois Cook, DuPage Mayor Richard M. Daley (D) Geographical characteristics Area     City 606. ...

During the 1988 Election ACORN held its National Convention in the same city as the Democratic Convention -- Atlanta, Georgia.^{[citation needed]} During the preceding four years ACORN had strengthened its ties with Jesse Jackson and accounted for thirty Jackson delegates. They also sponsored a march at the convention.^{[citation needed]} The election was held on November 8, 1988. ... Nickname: Hotlanta, The Big Peach, The ATL Location in Fulton and DeKalb counties in the state of Georgia Coordinates: Country United States State Georgia Counties Fulton, Dekalb Mayor Shirley Franklin (D) Area    - City 343. ... Jesse Jackson Jesse Louis Jackson (born October 8, 1941) is an American politician, civil rights activist, and Baptist minister. ...

ACORN's membership grew to 70,000 plus in twenty-eight states during this time.^{[citation needed]} The organization increased its legislative lobbying efforts in Washington and strengthened its PACs.^{[citation needed]} It also developed what it called the Affiliated Media Foundation Movement (AM/FM).^{[citation needed]} Starting with station KNON in Dallas, AM/FM moved on to establish radio stations, UHF television and cable television programming.^{[citation needed]} It also sought and received appointments to the Resolution Trust Corporation (RTC) which was formed to dissolve the assets of failed Savings and Loans resulting from the Savings and Loan crisis.^{[citation needed]} The Affiliated Media Foundation Movement is a United States grassroots effort to produce public radio serving the needs and interests of low and moderate income Americans, with an emphasis on social justice issues. ... KNON is a radio station transmitting on 89. ... A savings and loan association is a financial institution which specializes in accepting savings deposits and making mortgage loans. ... The Savings and Loan crisis of the 1980s was a wave of savings and loan association failures in the United States in which over 1,000 savings and loan institutions failed. ...

1988-1998: Focus on housing

ACORN member demonstrating against predatory lending

While some of ACORN’s most notable efforts were in the area of housing, it has counted health, public safety, education, representation, work and workers’ rights and communications concerns among its victories.  ©  This image is copyrighted. ...  ©  This image is copyrighted. ...

The 1990 ACORN convention in Chicago focused on the fast-breaking housing campaign. It featured a squatting demonstration at an RTC house which was reclaimed for use in an ACORN neighborhood. Later, ACORN members demanded cooperation from banks about providing loan data on low- and moderate-income communities and compliance with 1977's Community Reinvestment Act (CRA).^{[citation needed]} For the album by Ash, see 1977 (album). ... The Community Reinvestment Act (or CRA) is an United States federal law that requires banks and Savings and loan associations to offer credit throughout their entire market area and prohibits them from targeting only wealthier neighborhoods with their services, a practice known as redlining. ...

ACORN fought weakening of the CRA in 1991, when ACORN staged a two-day takeover of the House Banking Committee hearing room to be sure their voices were heard by Congress. It also established ACORN Housing Corporation to service people moving into homes under the housing campaign, rehabilitated hundreds of houses addressed by CRA.^{[citation needed]} 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Meeting of the House Financial Services Committee The United States House Committee on Financial Services (or House Banking Committee) oversees the entire financial services industry, including the securities, insurance, banking, and housing industries. ...

The ACORN convention in New York in 1992, the “ACORN-Bank Summit,” was organized to hammer out deals with giant banks. When Citibank, the nation’s largest bank, did not participate conventioneers protested at Citibank’s downtown Manhattan headquarters, and won a meeting to negotiate for similar programs.^{[citation needed]} Citibank was founded in 1812 as the City Bank of New York. ... The Borough of Manhattan, highlighted in yellow, lies between the East River and the Hudson River. ...

ACORN supported and lobbied for the “Motor Voter” Act.^{[citation needed]} After its passage, ACORN members attended President Clinton’s signing ceremony.^{[citation needed]} ACORN then pursued new registration laws in Arkansas and Massachusetts and filed suit in Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania as a result of the act.^{[citation needed]} The National Voter Registration Act of 1993, commonly known as Motor Voter, was signed into effect by President Clinton on May 20, 1993. ... William Jefferson Bill Clinton (born William Jefferson Blythe III on August 19, 1946) was the 42nd President of the United States, serving from 1993 to 2001. ... Official language(s) English Capital Boston Largest city Boston Area  Ranked 44th  - Total 10,555 sq mi (27,360 km²)  - Width 183 miles (295 km)  - Length 113 miles (182 km)  - % water 13. ... Official language(s) English Capital Springfield Largest city Chicago Area  Ranked 25th  - Total 57,918 sq mi (149,998 km²)  - Width 210 miles (340 km)  - Length 390 miles (629 km)  - % water 4. ... This Article does not cite its references or sources. ... Official language(s) None (English, de-facto) Capital Lansing Largest city Detroit Area  Ranked 11th  - Total 97,990 sq mi (253,793 km²)  - Width 239 miles (385 km)  - Length 491 miles (790 km)  - % water 41. ... Official language(s) None Capital Jefferson City Largest city Kansas City Largest metro area St. ... Official language(s) None, English de facto Capital Trenton Largest city Newark Area  Ranked 47th  - Total 8,729 sq mi (22,608 km²)  - Width 70 miles (110 km)  - Length 150 miles (240 km)  - % water 14. ... Official language(s) None Capital Harrisburg Largest city Philadelphia Area  Ranked 33rd  - Total 46,055 sq mi (119,283 km²)  - Width 160 miles (255 km)  - Length 280 miles (455 km)  - % water 2. ...

In 1993, ACORN also began a national campaign to fight insurance redlining, a practice that put the gains made in other housing campaigns at risk. The campaign targeted Allstate, hitting sales offices in fourteen cities and a stockholders meeting.^{[citation needed]} Allstate agreed to negotiate and signed an agreement in 1994 for a $10 million partnership with ACORN and NationsBank for below-market mortgages to low-income homebuyers.^{[citation needed]} Travelers Insurance came on board with a Neighborhood and Home Safety Program, linking access to insurance and lower rates to public safety programs.^{[citation needed]} 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar and marked the Beginning of the International Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1993-2003). ... The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view. ... Redlining is the practice of denying or increasing the cost of services, such as banking or insurance, to residents of certain areas. ... The Allstate Corporation NYSE: ALL is the largest publicly held personal lines insurer in the United States. ... 1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by United Nations. ...

1998-2004: Building progressive capacity

ACORN's recent activities have included its "Living Wage" programs, voter registration, and grassroots political organization. In 1998 ACORN helped form the Working Families Party in New York which counts increasing the minimum wage as its centerpiece issue.^{[citation needed]} ACORN has also strengthened its ties with the Service Employees International Union often working collaboratively on issues (including health insurance costs and the minimum wage) and even sharing office space.^{[citation needed]} For other meanings, see Grass roots (disambiguation). ... 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year of the Ocean. ... The Working Families Party (WFP) is a left-wing-progressive minor political party in the US state of New York, which has now expanded efforts into a number of other states, including the creation of the Connecticut Working Families Party and organizing projects in a number of other states. ... Official language(s) English de facto Capital Albany Largest city New York City Area  Ranked 27th  - Total 54,520 sq mi (141,205 km²)  - Width 285 miles (455 km)  - Length 330 miles (530 km)  - % water 13. ... Service Employees International Union (SEIU) is a labor union representing 1. ...

In 2004, Florida ACORN raised Florida's minimum wage by $1.00 an hour to $6.15 by putting a minimum wage amendment on the ballot.^{[citation needed]} Over 1 million Florida employees will be affected by the raise, which will occur every year as the wage is adjusted for inflation.^{[citation needed]}

The organization continues its multi-issue focus however, pursuing a wide range of issues while building grassroots strength and progressive capacity. Progressivism is term that refers to a variety of political philosophies that promote what they see as progress, or positive social change. ...

In 2003, ACORN opened operations in 20 new cities, including 5 state capitals.^{[citation needed]}

2004 saw ACORN become an international organization, opening offices in Canada, Peru, and beginning work in Dominican Republic. Since then offices have opened in Mexico and Argentina.^{[citation needed]}

Criticisms

Employee relations

A March 27, 2003 decision of the National Labor Relations Board found ^[1] that ACORN attempted to thwart union organizing efforts within its own organization by laying off workers who were attempting to organize. The two workers, both field organizers with ACORN, began discussions with the Service Employees International Union and later sought to organize under Industrial Workers of the World in response to their $16,000 annual salary for a 54-hour work week. The NLRB ordered the employees be reinstated in their former jobs and ACORN cease from interrogating employees about organizing activity. March 27 is the 86th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (87th in leap years). ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is an independent agency of the United States Government charged with conducting elections for union representation and with investigating and remedying unfair labor practices. ... A union (labor union in American English; trade union, sometimes trades union, in British English; either labour union or trade union in Canadian English) is a legal entity consisting of employees or workers having a common interest, such as all the assembly workers for one employer, or all the workers... Service Employees International Union (SEIU) is a labor union representing 1. ... The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW or the Wobblies) is an international union currently headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. At its peak in 1923 the organization claimed some 100,000 members in good standing, and could marshal the support of perhaps 300,000 workers. ...

Since ACORN is partially run by volunteers and interns, ACORN filed a lawsuit in California seeking to exempt itself from the state's minimum wage of $4.25 per hour in 1996,^{[citation needed]} the same year it won a victory in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to raise the minimum wage for custodial workers to $6.25 per hour.^{[citation needed]} Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ... 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty. ... Nickname: Cream City, Mil Town, Brew City, The City of Festivals Location of Milwaukee in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin Coordinates: County Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett Area    - City 251. ...

Allegations of voter registration misconduct

On September 7, 2004, a Columbus, Ohio grand jury indicted ACORN employee and felony Parolee Kevin Eugene Dooley for election fraud. The indictment charges Dooley forged a signature to a voter registration form.^{[citation needed]} September 7 is the 250th day of the year (251st in leap years). ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Nickname: The Arch City The Discovery City Location in the state of Ohio Coordinates: Country United States State Ohio Counties Franklin, Delaware, and Fairfield Mayor Michael B. Coleman (D) Area    - City 550. ... A grand jury is a type of jury, in the common law legal system, which determines if there is enough evidence for a trial. ... In the common law legal system, an indictment is a formal charge of having committed a serious criminal offence. ... A felony, in many common law legal systems, is the term for a very serious crime, whereas misdemeanors are considered to be less serious offenses. ... Parole can have different meanings depending on the context. ... An election is a decision making process where people vote for preferred political candidates or parties to act as representatives in government. ... Forgery is the process of making or adapting objects or documents (see false document), with the intention to deceive. ...

In August 2004 a lawsuit was filed in Albuquerque, New Mexico alleging that the policies of the New Mexico Secretary of State, Rebecca Vigil-Giron, improperly exempted individuals who registered to vote through canvassers from requirements that some new registrants submit ID at polling places.^{[citation needed]} During testimony in the case ACORN director Matt Henderson invoked his 5th Amendment right against self-incrimination and refused to answer questions as to whether ACORN had copied voter registration cards before turning them in while being questioned about fraudulent registrations allegedly turned in by ACORN.^{[citation needed]} Flag Seal Nickname: The Duke City Location Location in the state of New Mexico Coordinates , Government Country State County United States New Mexico Bernalillo Founded 1706 Mayor Martin Chavez Geographical characteristics Area     City 469. ... New Mexico was the 41st satate to be admitted to the us. ... The Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which is part of the Bill of Rights, guarantees several protections related to legal procedure. ...

ACORN has previously denied any wrongdoing and fired one worker involved in New Mexico registrations.^{[citation needed]} An investigation into the allegedly fraudulent registrations by the U.S. Attorney in New Mexico was launched, and was dropped after no impropriety was found.^{[citation needed]} In January 2005 two ex-ACORN workers were convicted in Denver, Colorado of perjury for submitting false voter registrations.^{[citation needed]} Nickname: The Mile-High City Location of Denver in Colorado Coordinates: City-County Denver (coextensive) Founded November 22, 1858 Incorporated November 7, 1861 Mayor John Hickenlooper (D) Area    - City 401. ... Perjury is the act of lying or making verifiably false statements on a material matter under oath or affirmation in a court of law or in any of various sworn statements in writing. ...

Further, investigations responding to fraud allegations recently ended in Colorado, Wisconsin, Florida, and Ohio after finding no evidence of pervasive voter fraud. In Wisconsin, U.S. Attorney Steve Biskupic, a Republican appointed by President Bush, concluded, “We don’t see a massive conspiracy to alter the election in Milwaukee, one way or another.”^{[citation needed]} In Ohio, a federal investigation ended with no indictments. “Our investigation is closed. No one was charged,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Edwards.^{[citation needed]}

On October 11, 2006, ACORN once again came under fire when their St. Louis, Missouri branch was accused of submitting at least 1,500 fraudulent registration cards which allegedly included dead and underaged people, forged signatures, and cards that were duplicates or contained incomplete information. The result of an investigation by election officials is pending. ^[2] October 11 is the 284th day of the year (285th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Nickname: Gateway City, Gateway to the West, or Mound City Location in the state of Missouri Coordinates: Country United States State Missouri County Independent City Mayor Francis G. Slay (D) Area    - City 66. ...

External links

• ACORN Katrina Relief
• ACORN
• ACORN housing
• ACORN Living Wage Resource Center
• Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride
• ACORN -- From Discover The Networks
• ACORN Statement on AP's Voter Registration Article
• St. Petersburg Times - Voter fraud charges collapse

Notes

1. ^ Decisions of the NLRB, 338-129 (pdf). National Labor Relations Board (2003-03-27). Retrieved on 2006-10-12.
2. ^ Douglas, Jeff. "Fraud alleged in St. Louis voter sign-up", Associated Press, 2006-10-11. Retrieved on 2006-10-12.