ACORN folds under pressure, Announces closing

[rambone]

I'm sure they will just reemerge with the same people under a new name. But its still nice to have had some effect on this HUGE group of criminal organizers.

ACORN Closing in Wake of Scandal

CHICAGO — The once mighty community activist group ACORN announced Monday it is folding amid falling revenues — six months after video footage emerged showing some of its workers giving tax tips to conservative activists posing as a pimp and prostitute.

"It's really declining revenue in the face of a series of attacks from partisan operatives and right-wing activist that have taken away our ability to raise the resources we need," ACORN spokesman Kevin Whelan said.

Several of its largest affiliates, including ACORN New York and ACORN California, broke away this year and changed their names in a bid to ditch the tarnished image of their parent organization and restore revenue that ran dry in the wake of the video scandal. They will continue to operate under their new names and aren't affected by ACORN's decision to shut down.

ACORN's financial situation and reputation went into free fall within days of the videos' release in September. Congress reacted by yanking ACORN's federal funding, private donors held back cash and scores of ACORN offices closed.

Earlier this month, a U.S. judge reiterated an earlier ruling that the federal law blacklisting ACORN and groups allied with it was unconstitutional because it singled them out. But that didn't mean any money would be automatically be restored.

Bertha Lewis, the CEO of ACORN, which stands for the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, alluded to financial hardships in a weekend statement as the group's board prepared to deliberate by phone.

"ACORN has faced a series of well-orchestrated, relentless, well-funded right wing attacks that are unprecedented since the McCarthy era," she said. "The videos were a manufactured, sensational story that led to rush to judgment and an unconstitutional act by Congress."

ACORN's board decided to close remaining state affiliates and field offices by April 1 because of falling revenues, with some national operations will continue operating for at least several weeks before shutting for good, Whelan said Monday.

For years, ACORN could draw on 400,000 members to lobby for liberal causes, such as raising the minimum wage or adopting universal health care. ACORN was arguably most successful at registering hundreds of thousands of low-income voters, though that mission was dogged by fraud allegations, including that some workers submitted forms signed by 'Mickey Mouse' or other cartoon characters.

 

[Bigum1969]

Well, at least there is some good news these days.

 

[TopDog]

I agree they will reemerge as another group, I doubt they are actually going to disappear.

 

[UncleMike]

I doubt if the top brass are going to give up their "easy money" jobs.
They'll re emerge in another incarnation as a "community organizer" front and continue to get funding from their pals in Washington.
OUR money of course.
Mike

 

[ghunter]

This is still good news, even if they change their names. Someone will expose the next one.

 

[j706]

Well, at least there is some good news these days.

X2

 

[Joe Williams]

Well, isn't that just a darn shame.

 

[LEaSH]

 

[Woodsman]

Anyone remember when when the people got all upset about the buses they used to move students to schools to meet diversity quotas? How come we don't hear anything about ACORN workers and SEIU members being bused to rallies to fill out the loud crowds?

Bussing used to be bad.

 

[Indy_Guy_77]

They're already reorganizing under a different name...

The bad pennies that they are will keep turning up.

-J-

 

[Mokkie]

They're already reorganizing under a different name...

The bad pennies that they are will keep turning up.

-J-

Do you Know what the new name is so we can BOLO for it?

 

[cosermann]

I'm sure they will just reemerge with the same people under a new name. . .

. . . and in the same office space. Just changing the name on the door.

New York ACORN changes name to New York Communities for Change but retains many staff members - NYPOST.com

"In what sources called a desperate attempt at rebranding, the new organization, called New York Communities for Change, has many of the same board members as ACORN, shares similar goals of the troubled activist group, and will take over its lease on Nevins Street, an ACORN spokesman said."

ACORN changes its name

ACORN = Community Organizations International

 

[Raoc]

Yep, this is just a re-branding effort. Stupid, they are not.

 

[JBusch8899]

FNC reported today that neither the tax identification numbers, nor the leadership has changed; just the ACORN name.

Still a wolf in sheep clothing, to blend in with the rest of the sheep out there.

 

[T-rav]

Yup they didnt go anywhere, guess they will have to be exposed again! Wade Rathke isnt going anywhere anytime soon.

 

[raider600]

I'm bumping this for a nice video

http://www.politicususa.com/en/maddow-fox-news