Protestors greet ACORN founder

As founder of ACORN, Wade Rathke, spoke at the Fogelman College of Business and Economics last night, protestors marched up and down the sidewalk to voice their opposition to the organization.

ACORN, or Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, has come under fire recently for several scandals.

About seven demonstrators, held anti-ACORN signs as they shouted zingers like, "Free Bag of Commu-Nuts!" and "I'm allergic to nuts."

Still, about 100 U of M students, faculty and members of the community came to hear Rathke speak about the need to create more income security for low-income families and the need for redistribution of wealth, income and power within society.

Rathke spoke, in part, about the plight of poor families in the nation.

"People can't live paycheck to paycheck," Rathke said. "The laws we have passed should make sure that (low-income families) receive their entitlements."

Rathke's brother, Dale, was fired from the organization after he embezzled nearly $1 million from ACORN and affiliated charitable organizations in 1999 and 2000.

ACORN members in numerous states were also accused of registering thousands of people to vote under fake names - such as Dallas quarterback Tony Romo, whose name was discovered on an ACORN voter form in Nevada, according to The Washington Post.

The organization more recently was criticized for having some of its employees tell two conservatives, dressed as a pimp and prostitute, how to trick federal tax authorities.

Sam Powers, graduate student in city and regional planning, said he supports Rathke and ACORN despite the recent scandals.

"Love or hate a lot of things ACORN has done, Wade Rathke stands up for the working class families," Powers said. "There's no arguing the success that ACORN in the past has had with helping working class families."

But for protestors like Jim Tomasik, the organization's cons outweigh its positives.

"Prostitution, the misuse of taxpayers' money - they have been caught nationwide doing things," he said. "We do not need this man teaching our kids how to do these things."

Tomasik, who has two children enrolled at The U of M, said he is opposed to Rathke teaching students how to take the easy way out.

"Teach kids to get up and get a job, and take care of business," Tomasik said. "This man is all about teaching kids how to get a handout."

Rathke, who apologized for the organization's gaffes, said ACORN should take responsibility for past wrongs and work to correct them.

"ACORN is going through its own phase of Britney Spears moments," Rathke said. "De-funding, candid camera escapades - this has been embarrassing to the organization."

Rathke stepped down as ACORN's chief organizer after his brother was released from the organization, but remains chief organizer for Acorn International L.L.C.

David Conner, one of the protesters outside of Fogelman, said de-funding was one of the main issues that drew him to the Fogelman Executive Center.

"The shady business that they do is un-American," he said. "I think that they should be investigated and that (America) shouldn't give them taxpayers' money."

The event was sponsored by The U of M graduate program in city and regional planning and by the School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy.

Scott Denkman, graduate student in safe planning, said he supports the organization's goals of promoting more equitable economic and social policies.

"I support the core mission that ACORN is trying to go for," Demkman said. "Anything that deals with helping the poor and middle class get back on their feet, I'm all for it."