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.

Join the Global Stand Against Adani’s for ACORN’s 55th Anniversary

Communities across the globe are uniting for coordinated actions demanding accountability from Gautam Adani, one of the world’s richest men whose corporate empire has grown through land grabs, environmental destruction, and corruption.

As we celebrate 55 years of grassroots organizing, cities from Toronto to London are sending a clear message to investors, governments, and institutions worldwide: Cut ties with Adani now.

Whether his companies are already operating in your region or seeking new partnerships, the time to act is now. Don’t invest, don’t build, and don’t legitimize an empire built on the displacement of communities and the destruction of our planet. Our communities will not be ruled by oligarchs – starting with Gautam Adani.

Communities across the globe are organizing coordinated actions. Here are the confirmed locations where affiliate organizations are planning events:

🇨🇦Canada
Toronto London Halifax Hamilton Vancouver Ottawa Calgary
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿England
London
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿Scotland
Edinburgh
🇺🇸USA
New Orleans Dallas Houston

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

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.

Jan 29, 2025

Tourist Tax For Council Flats Win!

VICTORY! ? Our affiliate @livingrentedinburgh has won a groundbreaking campaign to secure £5 million annually from Edinburgh’s tourist tax for affordable housing! Started in September 2023, this member-led campaign fought to ensure tourism revenue benefits local residents who struggle to afford living in their own city. This is what organized communities can achieve – turning tourist dollars into homes for working people.

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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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