Non-profit ACORN plans to shut down

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

ACORN's logo
*(Image missing from Commons: image; log)*

The US community organizing group Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) will end its operations due to dwindling funds. The group said in a statement that it would close most of its field offices by April 1.

The heads of the organization said in a joint statement that "ACORN's members have a great deal to be proud of—from promoting homeownership to helping rebuild New Orleans, from raising wages to winning safer streets, from training community leaders to promoting voter participation—ACORN members have worked hard to create stronger communities, a more inclusive democracy, and a more just nation."

The group, founded in 1970, played a prominent role in the 2008 US presidential elections, as it conducted many voter registration drives and fundraising for then-Senator Barack Obama, among other Democratic candidates. The organization first became scrutinized during the 2006 mid-term elections, when some of its employees were accused of voter fraud. Matters got worse in 2009 after an undercover video revealed two of its employees giving advice on how to set up a prostitution ring and commit tax fraud.

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Sources

Ian Urbina. "Acorn to Shut All Its Offices by April 1" — The New York Times, March 22, 2010
"ACORN plans to shut down" — CNN, March 22, 2010
Andrew Stern. "Liberal group ACORN to formally disband" — Reuters, March 22, 2010
Michael Winter. "ACORN disbanding; some services to continue" — USA Today, March 22, 2010

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