US

Report: ACORN Is Secretly Helping Organize & Fund the ‘Occupy’ Movement

ACORN Employees May Be Helping Organize Occupy Wall StreetRemember ACORN? If not, try and stretch your memory back to the 2008 presidential campaign and the months that followed.

The controversial community organizing group — which is now defunct — came under fire for purportedly engaging in voter fraud.

Now, Fox News is reporting that the former New York office for ACORN is heavily involved in the Occupy Wall Street movement — so much so, that former members are apparently organizing door-to-door canvassing, events, and other related activities. Considering that this is supposedly a “leaderless” movement, these allegations are curious. Fox News reports:

The former director of New York ACORN, Jon Kest, and his top aides are now busy working at protest events for New York Communities for Change (NYCC). That organization was created in late 2009 when some ACORN offices disbanded and reorganized under new names after undercover video exposes prompted Congress to cut off federal funds.

NYCC’s connection to ACORN isn’t a tenuous one: It works from the former ACORN offices in Brooklyn, uses old ACORN office stationery, employs much of the old ACORN staff and, according to several sources, engages in some of the old organization’s controversial techniques to raise money, interest and awareness for the protests.

If true, it seems ACORN has gone through more of a re-branding than it has a closure. Fox goes on to report that the NYCC has hired 100 or so former staffers who were once affiliated with the defunct organizing group.

And with purported pay for these individuals coming in at $100 per day, an important question is spawned: How are these activities being funded? These staffers are allegedly paid to attend and support Occupy Wall Street. Some are also said to be doing door-to-door fundraising (this money is then used to pay for supplies, staff and travel to bring the former ACORN employees to New York to protest).

According to sources, some of the fundraising ploys NYCC has devised are a bit suspect, as staffers allegedly target union members based on an address list and then knock on their doors to ask for contributions. Apparently, this is done under a union guise and the people being solicited aren’t told that the money is actually going to be used to fund Occupy Wall Street.

“All the money collected from canvasses is pooled together back at the office, and everything we’ve been working on for the last year is going to the protests, against big banks and to pay people’s salaries—and those people on salary are, of course, being paid to go to the protests every day,” one of the staffers told Fox News.

“They’re doing the same stuff now that got ACORN in trouble to begin with. And yes, we’re still ACORN, there is a still a national ACORN,” the staffer allegedly continued.

Perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised, though. On September 30, Kest wrote the following on the NYCC web site, voicing his support for the Occupy Wall Street movement:

It has been amazing watching #OccupyWallStreet grow over the past two weeks. As someone who has been involved in the social justice movement in New York for more than 30 years, it’s a rare occasion that I get to watch a movement like this develop from the outside.

Over the past several years, while the big banks have destroyed our economy and working people have fought to make do with less and less, the richest one percent of Americans continue to take of more of the pie.

That‘s why I’m excited to announce that New York Communities for Change and many of our allies in community organizing and labor will be showing our support for #OccupyWallStreet next week.

Aside from this “support,” NYCC has already shown its dissatisfaction with banks. Below, see a protest led by the group against Chase bank back in May:

Another woman claims she was hired from a homeless shelter, paid $10 per hour and then sent to the protests. She says she held “big orange banners” that promoted NYCC in large letters. Now, she says she is working in Long Island to canvass for a campaign against foreclosures.

Read the rest of the report here.

Comments (87)

  • clockwatcher
    Posted on October 26, 2011 at 5:17pm

    What is the shock who els but the supports of the back jimmy carter would do this?

    Report Post » clockwatcher  
    • Ruler4You
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 11:22am

      What a shocker! A subversive communist organization funded by congress and tax payer monies is actually using that money to subvert America. The shocker is that Z-E-R-O is being done to shut this crap down. Every school child is fighting America these days. They are being taught this crap in schools.

      Report Post » Ruler4You  
    • Ruler4You
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 6:27pm

      Personally, IMHBLO, government “IS” as much a part of this as A.C.O.R.N. First of all, they are funded with taxpayer dollars. Secondly, congress was alerted to the criminal behaviors of A.C.O.R.N. and told the American people that “it” (congress) had resolved the issue. If you were to ask me, I’d tell you that government was part and parcel of this action against America.

      Americans, IMHBLO, are now lower than they were before the move 400+ years ago to migrate here from {where ever}. It is ONLY in the light of comparison with other existing tyrannies that ours appears to be the most tolerable. Freedom, is NOT our present condition.

      Report Post » Ruler4You  
  • Rightsofman
    Posted on October 26, 2011 at 5:13pm

    I was wondering where they would show up in all this. This is first I‘ve heard that they’ve been busy here. What took so long?

    Report Post »  
  • FEMALL
    Posted on October 26, 2011 at 5:01pm

    “I Occupied Wall Street and All I Got Was This Louse-y T-Shirt”
    Think about it.

    O=Depression Nation. Anti depressant use> than ever before in history

    Report Post » FEMALL  
  • Constructionist
    Posted on October 26, 2011 at 4:55pm

    I wonder when the counter-protests will start that individually target the residences and businesses of Van Jones, Soros, Piven, Trumka, Ayers, Learner, et al. I remember Learning saying something about needing to ‘create a crisis’ for the other side. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.

    Report Post » Constructionist  
  • babylonvi
    Posted on October 26, 2011 at 4:51pm

    ACORN, OWS, OMG, who would have guessed?

    Report Post » babylonvi  
  • jacobstroubles
    Posted on October 26, 2011 at 4:32pm

    WEll… dahhhh…

    Report Post »  
    • motonutt
      Posted on October 26, 2011 at 4:54pm

      As Rush said this morning…..if ACORN is behind OWS than that means the white house is directly behind OWS plain and simple. It is obamas protest against us.
      And thanks to the republican lawmakers who supposedly defunded ACORN for allowing them to start up again under the cover of another name. Do your job and do the follow up, or like cancer it will come back stronger than ever.

      Report Post » motonutt  
  • capitalismrocks
    Posted on October 26, 2011 at 4:29pm

    This is one of the few times I say – sick the IRS on people…

    1. Who has this $500,000 in donations???
    2. They are NOT a non-for-profit
    3. They need to pay taxes
    4. We need to publicly know who the names are of the people collecting all of this money\
    5. Where is the money trail? The paypal accounts, visa/mastercard accounts, a bank where money orders and checks are being cashed.
    6. What bank is holding all of this money for OWS? — I think the IRS should know and do something about it.

    Report Post » capitalismrocks  
  • Moozmom
    Posted on October 26, 2011 at 4:25pm

    This nation is turning communist. Period,

    Report Post »  
    • beebacksoon
      Posted on October 26, 2011 at 5:53pm

      We CAN turn it around in Nov, 2012!
      Everyone, and I mean everyone, should be ready to cast their vote. I hope there is a huge voter turnout!
      Some say if they don’t like the candidates, they’ll just stay home. NO! Vote the best of two evils if you have to, but vote! This election can make or break America. Does anyone want 4 more yrs of Obama?

      Report Post »  
  • ProudTeaPartyMember
    Posted on October 26, 2011 at 4:06pm

    Acorn, Obama and Pelosi in support of these Wall Street protesting lowlifes, go figure. Lock and load, it’s coming to The USA.

    Report Post » ProudTeaPartyMember  
    • ishka4me
      Posted on October 26, 2011 at 4:20pm

      i tried to play the truth behind occupy video to occupy boston people on my I pad, after several called me a facist, only 2 students watched with me and they both believe it is fiction and that Glenn created the video. I will be there tomorrow to see Van Jones. I will be peaceful. I don’t think Vann Jones is staying in a tent tonight, tough for limo service

      Report Post »  
    • capitalismrocks
      Posted on October 26, 2011 at 4:32pm

      Too bad someone isn’t going to be there with a sniper rifle to greet Van Jones… this traitorous criminals roaming our country, poisoning the minds of our children are a threat to everyone… sooner or later someone is going to realize that Ayers, Piven, Van Jones and others can’t be allowed to walk the streets and feed this cancer any further.

      Report Post » capitalismrocks  
  • Eblaze44
    Posted on October 26, 2011 at 3:43pm

    This “OWS” stays alive because you won’t let it just lay there – winter is coming – then we’ll see how they do.

    Report Post » Eblaze44  
    • Hiswill
      Posted on October 26, 2011 at 4:17pm

      They have 500,000 dollars. There will be a heater in every tent.

      Report Post » Hiswill  
    • capitalismrocks
      Posted on October 26, 2011 at 4:39pm

      Sure and they‘ll either rent out a big empty warehouse to stage from or they’ll go home, regroup and prepare for an onslaught come spring time…

      this isn’t going away unless they are taken down hard, the heads of the snakes are cut off (Van Jones, Piven, Ayers, Trumka and others…) and the States implement new laws about hours of demonstration/protest and laws not allowing any tents, sleeping overnight or anything on public parks and private open spaces.

      The Police need to gear up with LRAD’s and so do most companies – they need to set those up in lobbies, so when these animals attempt to storm a lobby and go after a corporate board member or CEO – they are blasted with high frequency LRAD sound and pushed back…

      CEOs will need to consider these at their homes to keep these animals off their property too… the only way you are going to get these animals to understand that this is not the right way is to beat them down in every way – physically by barring them from occupying any property, repelling them with LRADS, publicly and socially scorning and mocking them to show they are out of step and out of touch with society, this means vendors shouldn’t sell them anything – food, clothes, anything. They should be barred for all restaurants and stores, society needs to turn on these people and make them outcasts…

      Spring is coming — prepare to block and barr them NOW….

      Report Post » capitalismrocks  
  • Eblaze44
    Posted on October 26, 2011 at 3:37pm

    It ain’t very secret if you know about it.

    Report Post » Eblaze44  
  • truthseekerusa
    Posted on October 26, 2011 at 3:30pm

    Pundit refers to Occupy groups as Obam Occufarts because the stink that surrounds them is so putrid from their urinating and defecating in any open spot available.

    Report Post »  
  • Dave In Arizona
    Posted on October 26, 2011 at 3:30pm

    So who’s funding ACORN? Soros? Obama?

    Report Post » Dave In Arizona  
  • Brontefan
    Posted on October 26, 2011 at 3:06pm

    This horrible organization that engaged in massive voter fraud, among other illegal activities… needs to STOP receiving taxpayer money. I am outraged that organizations can take tax dollars and be so incredibly biased and slanted. Some of us don’t want Marxism.

    Report Post »  
    • lillymckim
      Posted on October 26, 2011 at 3:14pm

      Fire every damn Republican who allows the funding of the fraudulent organization with the tax payers money and do it as soon as they are up for reelection …
      I wrote my representative Sandy Adams Florida and she has yet to respond to me other than a form email regarding “taxes” it did not even pertain to the Acorn issue I was addressing ..
      I hope she isn’t running for another term .. she will not get my vote again.

      She is just like the trolls who occupy space

      Report Post » lillymckim  
    • Tom K
      Posted on October 26, 2011 at 3:38pm

      ACORN probably still has some TARP or BAILOUT Money paying for their operations. ( Out Tax Dollars – borrowed at a high interest rate from China ) As for Eric Holder’s Justice Department conducting an investigation; that would go about as well as their investigation into voter intimidation during Election 2008 ! America has got to wake up. 2012 may not be soon enough to rid America of this corrupt Administration. Impeach Now !

      Report Post »  
  • davetrav
    Posted on October 26, 2011 at 2:43pm

    I believe the FBI should be keeping an eye on these people again.
    I ask , what is their motive? Who is backing them, Obama, Soros,
    Van Jones, the DEMOCRAT PARTY–WHO?
    AMERICA WAKE UP—These people are bent on killing AMERICA.

    Report Post »  
    • ACLUHater
      Posted on October 26, 2011 at 2:54pm

      All to put Dumbo and Aunt Esther in the White House for 4 more years.

      Report Post »  
    • godlovinmom
      Posted on October 26, 2011 at 2:55pm

      Last election…we had quite a few more parties you can belong to besides republican/democrat on our ballots…the working families party…come to find out, they are just an offshoot of acorn…I wondered if anyone was fooled by this…I found it strange when I saw it.

      Report Post » godlovinmom  
    • AvengerK
      Posted on October 26, 2011 at 3:01pm

      Gosh what a shock..Obama’s beloved trouble makers ACORN are not telling donors where their donations are going…paying the homeless to be human billboards/propanda devices then having them go door to door to swindle people out of their money to funnel back to the protests. If ACORN or a subsidiary is receiving any tax payer money at this point it must be stopped immediately.

      Report Post »  
    • db321
      Posted on October 26, 2011 at 3:49pm

      Good luck – FBI and Homeland Security are in bed with this administration.

      Report Post » db321  
  • V-MAN MACE
    Posted on October 26, 2011 at 2:42pm

    The Police State is corrupt, as are the financiers and bootlickers who fund it. That means those who would allow their tax dollars to be used in a violent manner against their fellow citizens! You are a yellow-bellied coward and a traitor if you stand with the Nazi Police State, and you will FALL with them.

    I hope the Nazi Police State continues to position itself between the people and the Robber Barons. Their mission to protect and serve is becoming clear that it is a mission to protect and serve the GLOBALIST VAMPIRE ROBBER BARONS and prey upon the public for their revenue!

    Because when the people are broke, and the Nazis’ jobs can no longer be funded, the Federal Government will tax the people by printing money to pay the Nazis.

    The BROKE City of Cleveland “will be recalling officers affected by the state-imposed layoffs, after receiving a grant in the amount of $5,864,275. The grant will cover the full salary and benefits packages of the recalled CPD officers for three years.”

    All while the people struggle to find jobs… and you wait, the Tea Party AND the Wall Street protestors are going to be in the streets…against these entitled public unionized workers protecting the robbers at the Federal Reserve and the big banks. And some of you will call for a larger police state to protect you from the masses…pathetic.

    Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
    • HigherPowered
      Posted on October 26, 2011 at 3:17pm

      The biggest lie the Devil ever told is when he convinced people that he didn’t exist.
      Now, it seems, the Devil is finally showing himself.
      Keep spouting the kool-aid, and keep doing the Devil’s work.
      God has a way of dealing with that which offends him.
      You should invest in some asbestos underwear, my man.

      Report Post » HigherPowered  
    • Shellback
      Posted on October 26, 2011 at 3:26pm

      Put down your crack pipe, it may improve your cognative functions.

      Report Post » Shellback  
    • Tired-of-fools
      Posted on October 26, 2011 at 4:11pm

      You aren’t a little paranoid are you? You know you should get professional help and maybe some medication. Watch out, the GLOBALIST VAMPIRE ROBBER BARONS might send the men with the big butterfly nets for you. I’m sure they have a nice padded room for you to stay in. They will even give you a nice coat that has the sleeves that tie in the back so you won’t hurt yourself. Good Luck!

      Report Post »  
    • capitalismrocks
      Posted on October 26, 2011 at 4:46pm

      You call defending themselves against the violence started by the OWS morons is police violence…

      The police aren’t doing anything to those who follow the law, disperse, do as the police direct them, its the ones who want confrontation, want violence and provoke it that are shown police fighting back…

      If anyone acted like that towards me, I wouldn’t be so kind, you’d get a nice round of buckshot to the legs and if you were stupid enough to come again, I’d shot out a foot or a knee cap — I won’t see so much the need to have to kill you, just leave you with long term memories to mind your business and stay off my property…. now you come after my family – then I aim for the chest, your toast…

      So enjoy your little mayhem in the city… you even think of coming to the suburbs and there are going to be a lot of funerals for a lot of useful idiots, cause we WILL legally and rightfully defend our homes and families and make sure we leave no doubt in your minds as to our intent on protecting ourselves.

      Report Post » capitalismrocks  
    • V-MAN MACE
      Posted on October 26, 2011 at 5:29pm

      Whoa..I’m the DEVIL?!?!

      Talk about DEMONIZING and demogoguery…you neocons are PATHETIC.

      Protect and defend the police state and your cognitive dissonance. They’re coming to shatter your false sense of security when they forcibly separate you from your firearms, load you into that transport to that FEMA Camp… for your “protection”.

      You think these Nazis exist to keep order and peace, and they’re only revenue collectors and Police State thugs. And you align yourselves with them and you’ll be trampled with them by the masses when they revolt, because you will be disarmed and totally at their mercy to protect your sorry carcasse.

      I’m not paranoid, I’m watching these Nazis become violent with my fellow countrymen as they protest, and I don’t like it. They’ve been violent to the public for decades and I have never liked it.

      You do.

      You’re a bootlicker. I’m not.

      Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
    • motonutt
      Posted on October 26, 2011 at 7:26pm

      @V-MAN…So everyone who disagrees with you is a “yellow bellied, nazi bootlicker” ?

      I think you have a fixation on nazi’s and bootlicking…..I’d bet you have on a pair of nazi issue boots on right now….Kind of like a charactor in a Mel Brooks movie….

      Report Post » motonutt  
  • Pokerjoe
    Posted on October 26, 2011 at 2:40pm

    Just when will this bunch go away? As Glenn said they will show up again…hes right. Way to go Glenn.

    Report Post »  
    • riverdog1
      Posted on October 26, 2011 at 3:03pm

      OMG!!! a group of people raising money for a cause, thats unconstitutional. no group or individuals gave to the tea party right? im outraged.

      Report Post »  
    • Tired-of-fools
      Posted on October 26, 2011 at 4:18pm

      Hey Riverrat1, I mean Riverdog, I bet you were at OWS. Did you leave them a little present, like your fleas? Is that how they got the name Fleabaggers?

      Report Post »  
  • teapartyconservatism
    Posted on October 26, 2011 at 2:32pm

    Obama’s purported birth certificate alleging “where” he was born, also indicates his parent’s citizenship “when” he was born. These equally important vital “facts” are now beyond Obama’s ability to refute, alter or hide! Unless it’s a fake, the inescapable truth is that his Kenyan father absolutely precludes Obama from being an eligible natural born citizen!

    Please don’t let the media or uninformed conservative talk radio or TV hosts, dissuade you from seeking truth and justice as you strive to be an informed voter. Let their credibility suffer by inaction, and not your life! Don’t risk Obama being reelected by the misled masses.

    Initiate a local Tea Party petition asking your county sheriff, sworn and empowered to enforce the law of the land, to investigate and subpoena the original HI records for forensic analysis and comparison to Obama’s fraudulent birth certificate and social security number, as alleged by experts.

    Demand Congress and the presidential candidates who now each have legal standing, to file a lawsuit against Obama for fraud and failure to qualify as a natural born citizen, meaning born in the US to TWO US citizen parents, as required of the President by the Constitution!

    It costs nothing to learn why a “natural born citizen” is not the same thing as a citizen, but it could cost you everything if you don’t.

    How to know the truth and remove Obama from office now!
    http://www.ObamaBirthCertificate.net

    Report Post » teapartyconservatism  
    • deeberj
      Posted on October 26, 2011 at 2:49pm

      I highly doubt anyone running will do what you say. Obama’s Birth Certificate, whether real or fake, has been accepted by most politicians as real.

      I think if we focus more on how Obama has screwed the country financially we will win.

      Report Post » deeberj  
    • riverdog1
      Posted on October 26, 2011 at 3:05pm

      tea party moron, keep up the posts. they are great. not even close to the truth. but great.

      Report Post »  
    • Tired-of-fools
      Posted on October 26, 2011 at 3:48pm

      @Riverdog1
      It figures that a big liberal like you would support an organization that would corrupt an election by voter fraud. It is also clear that your hero the Obammunist was funneling money to them for “special lighting” to the tune of $600k out of his campaign funds. Don’t you think that he knew what they were doing. He did work for them as thier legal consultant. He more than likely told them how they could get away with it. But as all true leftist, the ends justify the means.

      Report Post »  
    • capitalismrocks
      Posted on October 26, 2011 at 4:48pm

      Who cares about his stupid birth certificate, the idiot is in office, we have a year to make sure he won’t be in office again… focus on making sure we put a pro-American, Pro-Republic, Pro-Business, Pro-Capitalism, Pro-Domestic Energy President into office….. that’s all that matters….

      Report Post » capitalismrocks  
  • IwentThere
    Posted on October 26, 2011 at 2:31pm

    Is it me or does their symbol look more like a little penis than an acorn?

    Report Post » IwentThere  
  • TexasHunter
    Posted on October 26, 2011 at 2:26pm

    This comes as no surprise. This is Owebama’s plan. WE HAVE TO GET HIM OUT OF THE OFFICE. 2012 wish it was today.

    Report Post » TexasHunter  
    • @leftfighter
      Posted on October 26, 2011 at 2:56pm

      It’s no surprise at all! Go back into the Occupy Wall Street tab above. ACORN front groups like SEIU & Working Families has been behind this from the get-go.

      Report Post » @leftfighter  
  • progressiveslayer
    Posted on October 26, 2011 at 2:26pm

    If we ever get a congress with some stones we won’t be funding community organizers like acorn.
    They just change their name and continue draining the taxpayers,it’s all unconstitutional anyhow,they don’t have a right to taxpayer money.

    Report Post » progressiveslayer  
  • matt708
    Posted on October 26, 2011 at 2:23pm

    they need to be investigated by Napoltiano as home grown terroist. Janet where are you

    Report Post »  
  • AlansTigg
    Posted on October 26, 2011 at 2:23pm

    well I guess you could say that they are creating jobs….with OTM of course

    Report Post » AlansTigg  
  • wewantchillywilly
    Posted on October 26, 2011 at 2:19pm

    well this explains the prostitution reports at OWS.

    remember when glenn beck said ACORN will emerge again, more powerful?

    Report Post »  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on October 26, 2011 at 2:13pm

    Well what do you know? Obama created a job! Way to go Barry, we’re proud of you.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
    • Marci
      Posted on October 26, 2011 at 2:18pm

      LOL Gonzo. No one has ever doubted ACORNs involvement. I suspect they are the reason Obama keeps saying he is confident he will be re-elected. This man is as close to Satan as you can get. Sure, there are evil dictators all over the world, but the free world impedes that progress. Have to start with the free world first, and once toppled, you can do as you wish.

      Report Post » Marci  
    • dogpatch65
      Posted on October 26, 2011 at 2:20pm

      I’m almost…“almost” I said, beginning to feel some pity for these people. Not the organizers. Not the people funding this. I’m talking about the rank-and-file tools who are going to be betrayed by their leaders eventually.
      http://markamerica.com/2011/10/26/occupy-wall-street-fail/

      Report Post »  
    • UBETHECHANGE
      Posted on October 26, 2011 at 2:24pm

      This is not funny and it is sedition and treason.

      Report Post »  
    • LiberalMarine
      Posted on October 26, 2011 at 2:25pm

      I guess they didn’t listen to the memo from Tea Party Nation telling people to get back at Obama by deliberately not hiring people.

      Report Post » LiberalMarine  
    • stoptheliesbho
      Posted on October 26, 2011 at 2:25pm

      Gonzo, your comments always make me laugh. He finally did one thing he said he would do. DANGIT!!! Now I guess we should believe everything he said he was gonna do since he has a year left. Right? Who’s with me?!?!?! NOT.

      Report Post » stoptheliesbho  
    • HKS
      Posted on October 26, 2011 at 2:27pm

      Maybe if the media would follow the money they would find that it leads back to Obama and the tax payers. I understand these idiots are being paid but no one has said where the money comes from. Need an investigation. Maybe Biden could help with this instead of investigating reporters that ask him questions that he don’t like. Looks like he should be good for something.

      Report Post » HKS  

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