Check out this months ACORN Int Victories around the world!
ACORNEWS
August 2021
As ACORN Members have been doing since 1970:
Our chapters around the world have been
getting out, getting active, and getting heard! find out how below!
ACORN India
Meeting where members raised the concerns of small business with the Deputy Chief Minister Finance Minister of Delhi
Minal Diwan, an ACORN member in the Dharavi area of Mumbai. She is 27-years old and has been unemployed since the pandemic closed her workplace. Her 23-year-old brother is also without work. The entire family is living on the 8000 rupees ($107.85 USD) her father makes. They have been living in Dharavi all of her life. Their rent and utilities there cost 5000 rupees ($67.41), so they survive on only 3000 rupees or about $40 for the month. She credits the rations that she has received from ACORN with support from RIST for their survival. Watch the Full Interview Here
National launch of a report “Workers’ Housing Needs and the Affordable Rental Housing Complexes (ARHC) scheme” organized today by Working Peoples’ Charter at the Deputy Speaker Hall, Constitution club, Delhi with Manoj Jha (MP), Meena Menon, Mukta Naik, Gautam Bhan, Justin Jebakumar, Bilal Khan, Bipin Rai, Anju Reshma Manikoth, Chandan Kumar, Indu Prakash Singh and Nirmal Gorana
Faced with the silence of the City Mayor, households came to settle in the dry with their sheets, thermos, and mats in front of the urban community of Douala.
On Wednesday, April 21, 2021, around thirty residents of Makepe Maturity, Bepanda Yonyong, Makepe 1 Missoke, and Bepanda Petit Wouri came with blankets, cups to take refuge on the forecourt of the town hall in Bonanjo, to “flee the serious danger to which they are exposed in their neighborhood because of the floods and find refuge” within the town hall.
Thanks to the non-violent mobilization of “flood refugees” on Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at the town hall of Bonanjo. The resolutions of the negotiation with the chief of staff of the city mayor led to the descent of the city mayor of Douala on the spot to assess the situation. Two days later, work resumed on the ground with cleaning and de-grazing equipment in the drains. The inhabitants continue to follow up on a daily basis to ensure the effectiveness of the work on the ground. <<Read More Here>>
Nearly 80 people from the Bepanda Bonamoussongo and Yonyong districts respectively gathered at the initiative of the OnEstEnsemble association to discuss the problems that plague the two districts. Assessment of the activities of the last 6 months, strategic reflections on the campaigns or battles in progress, identification of new avenues of campaigns are the axes that furnished these meetings.
Finally, the elections took place to renew the members of the board of the 2 local branches. Other citizens’ assemblies are being prepared in 7 other districts where the association is established. << Read More Here >>
Faced with multiple complaints of overbilling members of the association, a working session with the commercial delegate of Douala Center made it possible to make new commitments to improve access to the electricity service. The new commitments made by the Douala center trade commissioner:
1. The reorganization of connection campaigns up to 51,257 FCFA for single-phase prepaid meters (02 lines)
2. Compliance with the 5-day deadline for processing requests and connection requests between 10 and 20 days
3.The provision of the OnEstEnsemble association, an information note signed between ARSEL (Regulatory Agency for the Electricity Sector) and Eneo, on improving the quality of service
4. Provision of customers, service regulations (user obligations, formulation of requests and connection requests, etc.) via display channels and digital platforms
5. The organization of quarterly meetings between Eneo and the association
The next step will be to meet the technical manager in charge of network maintenance, to take stock of the renewal of defective electrical infrastructure in the neighborhoods.
Nigeria:
Thirty families have now joined ACORN Nigeria to launch a new affiliate in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The first step in order to grow the membership is formally registering ACORN Nigeria, and we are on our way. This organizing was triggered by ACORN President Marva Burnett working with a local organizer, Etida Anthony Edem.
ACORN South-America
Acorn Honduras:
The chapter contacted the vice minister of public health Dr. Roberto Cosenza, in the municipality of Puerto Cortés, from whom we recently requested assistance and vaccination for the Choloma and Lopez Arellano sectors. After receiving a positive positive response a vaccination process was started as of July 22 including the municipality of Puerto Cortes.
The management is done in a particular way because there is a lot of demand with the issue of covid-19 as the country is seeing an uptick in Delta variant cases
Pictured below: meeting with representatives of civil organizations in Puerto Cortes and collecting signatures to protest about the employment zones (ZEDE) and demand the right to respect national sovereignty, the signatures will be presented later to the national congress in Tegucigalpa.
ACORN Puerto Cortes getting signatures at the protest
The Chapter also met with representatives of civil organizations in Puerto Cortes and collected signatures to protest about the employment zones (ZEDE) and demand the right to respect national sovereignty, the signatures will be presented later to the national congress in Tegucigalpa.
In Puerto Cortes, the reforestation of beaches and mangroves is being carried out permanently to protect the environment. ACORN is supporting this group who we hope will join us in this effort.
ACORN CANADA
ACORN members in Toronto march downtown during the National Day of Action for Fair Banking
Toronto ACORN members had a great Internet for All rally on Tuesday, July 6th at 11 am at City Hall, demanding the City to make connections to community-owned, community-controlled, and $10 internet for all low and moderate-income people. << Read More Here >>
ACORN Vanier Rallies to save homes from N13 Demoviction!
Hamilton will draft a vacant home tax bylaw for public review:
"Several representatives of ACORN Hamilton, a tenant rights group, backed the idea of a vacant housing tax."
"Dayna Sparkes, ACORN’s east Hamilton chair, said the tax would discourage landlords from keeping units vacant. This is an important tool Hamilton can use to prevent speculation.”
Tenants Speak out in London To Demand Healthy Homes:
"London ACORN member Samantha, had a Tenant Speak Out event outside her Landlord's office to demand a healthy home for her and her daughters. Samantha has been asking for repairs to be fixed in her home so she and her daughters can live comfortably. Instead of fixing the repairs, the landlord has told Samantha she can just move out.
The new Aberystwyth Chapter had a very successful direct action ( pictured above) that resulted in the member receiving their deposit back in full! Congratulations to the Aberystwyth Chapter on their victory!
The chapter also spoke to voice.wales about the tenants' campaign that led them to found ACORN Aberystwyth, how a few landlords have stitched up the local housing market, and why the local community should join their efforts.
Manchester:
The Manchester chapter is looking for a member defense organizer to work in Manchester, focused on recruiting, developing, and supporting members to take action on issues affecting them and the communities they come from. The successful candidate will start work on the 4th of October and will have a focus on organizing direct action housing campaigns and working with women in Manchester.
Newcastle:
Newcastle launched a campaign to save the Apollo Bingo Hall from being turned into more expensive student accommodation
The Chapter raised awareness about the campaign through outreach in Durham where they spoke to many local residents and got their thoughts on the proposed demolition of a much-loved bingo hall, as well as getting people to write a comment on how to object to the plans through the council website.
Oxford: Victory
Experienced a city-wide VICTORY for their YES TO DSS CAMPAIGN! Yet another demonstration of the power that direct, collective action has to win change for ordinary people in Oxford.
Oxford City Councillors unanimously passed a cross-party motion to stamp out discrimination against renters in receipt of universal credit or other housing benefits.
Weeks after ACORN Brighton members marched on The Property Shop to demand these issues are fixed urgently, nothing has been fixed, and contractors continue to turn up unannounced and get nothing done. They were back, telling the public about the conditions Stephen is happy to let his tenants live in, and dozens of people were up for supporting our campaign
Member Yun Fang was living in a council flat riddled with mushrooms and dampness. Her kids' health was impacted by the conditions and she was upset, distressed, and at the end of her tether when she became a member of Acorn Birmingham. We are thrilled that she has won her demands for repairs, and finally the council has listened and responded! Her kids can enjoy their safe home now.
The chapter also hosted a meet with tenants in Nechells Tower blocks last night who were sick of the conditions they were putting up with. Most of the residents were tenants and customers of Birmihgam City Council and the Wates Group. They are dealing with issues like chronic mold, unsanitary communal corridors, smelly rubbish chutes, mice and cockroach infestations, and disturbance from contractors who are working on the windows of the towers.
ACORN Birmingham members were out leafletting today and delivered invites to our resident's meeting in 290 flats in Nechells.
EUROPE
CATU Ireland
CATU Cabramet with new branch members and with their neighbors in the Stonybatter/Grangegorman branch. They did outreach on the NCR knocking on doors and spoke to lots of future members!
The Citizen Alliance's Hijabi s' Union is taking action at the FFF-Fédération Française de Football to fight for for Muslim women wearing scarves. right to play official competition matches wearing sports hijabs.
Tenants Union Atlanta: Victory! In a first action at the Ashley Collegetown housing complex, ATU-Atlanta tenants demanded from Integral management's representative action on more security and won a commitment that within 30-days the company will provide off-duty Atlanta police to increase protection in the complex. More to come soon with a meeting later in August on water leaks and mold!
In-Person Event Saturday, August 21st, 7 AM - 10 AM CDT
Cannon Hill Park
ACORN Birmingham is HAVING A SOCIAL!
Everyone is going to bring a dish to share, we will have music, play some games and have a chilled afternoon. All are welcome!
If you're planning on coming shoot them a DM Here
In-Person Event Tabling + Outreach Day
Saturday, August 28th
Join ACORN NOVA SCOTIA to do outreach to tenants and community members!
Talk to neighbors about the issues that matter to them
Get your tenancy questions answered
Get involved with the tenant union
Sign a petition and make some calls to city councilors
Pick up posters or flyers
Get more involved with your community! Locations to be posted in the event page - contact us ahead of time if you want to volunteer!
In-Person Event SATURDAY, AUGUST 21,AT 10 AM – 6 PM
Sunday, August 22 12 pm- 6pm
ACORN Oxford: Summer Organising Weekender!
The summer weekend every ACORN Oxford member has been waiting for: the ACORN Oxford community organising summer weekender
As ACORN members we’re getting skilled up and ready to build real POWER for renters and our communities in Oxford..
Open to ACORN members and anyone interested in joining and getting involved.
Sign up to be trained in the skills we need to build power for workers and renters in our city.
Times: 10am-6pm Saturday (Organising Training) and 12pm-6pm Sunday (Doorknocking Training). There will be regular breaks and an hour long lunch break.
Saturday will consist of:
The Theory of Organising - talking about power, issues and how to organise , and mapping Oxford. Then we'll have a lunch break, and go on to practical skills like like having organising conversations,
member defence tactics, and campaigning Location: Barton Neighbourhood Centre Underhill Circus, Headington, Oxford OX3 9LS
There is disabled access and a toilet but no kitchen, but you can bring your own food and drinks.
This training will be held in person but with necessary precautions to stay safe
In-Person Event
Building power in Barton!
SUNDAY, AUGUST 22, 2021 AT 12 pm – 2 pm
One of the most important things we do is find people who haven't heard of ACORN, or who aren't involved in politics and talk with them to bring them into the organization.
Get trained up with our staff organizer, then talk with people in Barton about what matters to them
Notes: We have toilet facilities, and times are flexible. Find out more here
We'll have a social afterward at The Star or somewhere similar
In-Person Event
Swindon ACORN doorknocking
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 11 AM – 1 pm
Swindon ACORN is getting back on the doors! We will be doorknocking around Eastcott to talk to local people about our campaigns and issues facing renters and the wider community locally. Doorknocking is a really important part of ACORNs work. It’s how we start building the union in the community and winning on the issues that matter to our neighbors!
Never doorknocking before? Don’t worry! We’ll have a script to follow, a quick briefing to start and can buddy people up with more experienced members RSVP here
"Stay away from ConnectTO’: Toronto is building its own broadband network and anti-poverty groups want to make sure big telecom isn’t involved"
"ACORN to Delegate to Council Opposing Tax Grant for Malleum Properties"
"Several members of Hamilton ACORN, a tenants rights group, and other local organizations said the tax would help renters by upping the housing supply and preventing affordable units from becoming vacant in the first place. "
Heron Gate tenants 'extremely disappointed' with city deal with developer:
"We are still studying it, but the initial sentiment is that we’re extremely disappointed with the details,” said Last Mazambani, co-chair of the South Ottawa chapter of ACORN. “We’re extremely disappointed with what we have on the table.”
We will be doorknocking around Eastcott to talk to local people about our campaigns and issues facing renters and the wider community locally.
