ACORN Work

ACORN International affiliates share an approach to taking back what is ours. We share key principles:
always organize the unorganized, strive for self-sufficiency, coordinated autonomy between local groups,
issues as vehicles for building power, taking action to secure wins, and the organization belongs to its members.

ACORN Affiliates are Organizing on Five Continents.

ACORN Marks 55 Years

With Global Action Against Adani

On June 18, communities across the globe came together to demand justice and accountability from Gautam Adani — one of the world’s richest men — whose corporate empire is built on land grabs, environmental destruction, and corruption.

From Nairobi to New Orleans, Edinburgh to Toronto, ACORN members delivered letters, marched to investor offices, and took public action to denounce Adani’s mass eviction plans in Dharavi, Mumbai and to call on institutions to cut ties.

This global day of action showed the power of grassroots solidarity. But the fight is far from over.

We’re still demanding:
Don’t invest. Don’t build. Don’t legitimize.
An empire built on displacement must be dismantled.

➡️ Sign the petition and join the movement.

Upcoming

Be part of a global gathering of organizers focused on grassroots power, campaign strategy, and international solidarity. This year, we’re heading to Romania to meet with local groups fighting for women’s rights, housing, the environment, and more.

New Research

For nearly two decades, ACORN International has supported organizations working in Dharavi, a community of millions in the heart of Mumbai. The report details the dangers facing residents
in the face of a re-development contract granted to the Adani Group, questions about the granting of the contract and the history of the Adani Group including the serious concerns about
corporate governance and criminal indictments.

Read The Adani Report:

A Suburban Dream:

How a Dallas Home Became a Multinational Headquarters

Recent Wins

Jan 29, 2025

London: Science Museum Targeted Over Ties to Adani

ACORN members took action at the Science Museum to protest its sponsorship by Adani Green Energy, a company behind mass evictions in Dharavi, Mumbai. As part of ACORN International’s global day of action, members served symbolic eviction notices to the Adani-funded exhibit, held a picket outside, and distributed leaflets to visitors. The protest called on the museum to cut ties with Adani and stop legitimizing corporate land grabs and displacement.

May 2, 2025

ACORN London members have been working non-stop throughout April, delivering impressive results in their fight for housing justice and community power!

From standing shoulder-to-shoulder to prevent a neighbor’s eviction to launching a new branch — Every door knocked is another potential member, every meeting builds our collective strategy, and every action puts landlords and officials on notice that housing justice cannot wait.

10 direct actions with targets confronted
1 successful eviction resistance
5 community meetings organized
1 new branch launched
Countless doors knocked, bringing scores of new members into the movement

This is what people power looks like.

April 18, 2025

ACORN Bradford – 1 – 0 Bailiffs!

In a huge victory for their member Stuart, ACORN Bradford has successfully fought back against harassment from bailiffs. Stuart had been relentlessly chased for debts, with threats of forced entry, and a council refusing to set up a payment plan. But thanks to the determination and support of ACORN Bradford members, they’ve got the bailiffs called off, enforcement paused, AND a payment plan in place.

April 17, 2025

Living Rent Dundee wins repairs and £1,000 compensation for tenant

After over a year of unaddressed disrepair—including roof leaks, mold, and no heating—union member Charlie teamed up with Living Rent Dundee to take on negligent letting agents and the landlord. The result? £1,000 in compensation and a full rent pause until all repairs are done. A huge win for tenant power and solidarity in Scotland!

Feb 27, 2025

GLOBAL ORGANIZING IN ACTION IN INDIA

Ashley Reyns from ACORN Canada conducted organizer training with Janpahal Affiliates in East Delhi, India. Participants practiced essential door-knocking techniques and organizing skills while gaining insights into ACORN Canada’s successful street-level organizing tactics. These proven strategies help communities build power and advance their campaigns!

Feb 13, 2025

Cameroonian affiliates Strike at Sosucam sugar plantations

Their strike, which began on January 26th with 4,000 seasonal workers, halted operations and exposed long-standing labor injustices. Tragically, security forces violently repressed the peaceful protest, resulting in multiple casualties. Despite this, workers held firm, ultimately winning wage increases and improved payment schedules.

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Who We Are

Inequality and social problems come down to power—who has it and who benefits from it.

The only way to create meaningful change is by countering the power of money and politics with collective action.

Every day, we see rising housing costs, unemployment, stagnant wages, and cuts to public services while wealth is funneled upward.

But we power society—we work, raise families, support communities, and create wealth—so we have the right to exercise power and claim our fair share.

When we say “taking what’s ours,” we mean reclaiming the value we produce and the benefits we deserve.

Updates From the Field

Calendar

The ACORN Model

ACORN’s model is simple: local, member-based, democratic organizations that operate like a union for their members. By forming our own community unions, we build our own power.

How do you build a union for your community? ACORN organizers use our proven approach:

1. People to people

  • Learn about neighborhood issues through door knocking
  • Sign up members who pay dues
  • Invite them to a launch meeting

2. Launch meeting

  • Discuss common issues
  • Focus on a winnable campaign
  • Plan direct action (those affected solve problems themselves)
  • Elect motivated leaders

3. Campaign

  • Support leaders in taking charge
  • Carry out the campaign
  • Review results together

4. Take action until victory

5. Choose next issue while expanding

  • For ACORN, winning issues builds lasting power
  • ACORN is multi-issue
  • Single-issue groups fade after winning/losing

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