Senator Allied with ACORN as Recently as 2006, Now Turns Cold Shoulder
MIAMI, Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. Senator John McCain's recent
attacks on the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now
(ACORN), are puzzling given his historic support for the organization and
its efforts on behalf of immigrant Americans. As recently as February 20,
2006, Senator McCain was the keynote speaker at an ACORN-sponsored
Immigration Rally in Miami, Florida at Miami Dade College - Wolfson Campus.
The rally, co-sponsored by ACORN in partnership with the New American
Opportunity campaign (NAOC), Catholic League Services - Archdiocese of
Miami, Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center, Florida Immigrant Coalition,
Miami Dade College, People for the American Way/Mi Familia/Vota en Accion,
the Service Employees International Union, and UNITE/HERE, was intended to
call attention to the need for comprehensive immigration reform.
Senator McCain spoke at the rally attended by hundreds of ACORN
members, most of whom were dressed in the red shirts typical of its
members. Senator McCain's speech focused on the Secure America and Orderly
Immigration Act, a bipartisan, comprehensive reform bill, which McCain
sponsored with Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA).
Bertha Lewis, Chief Organizer of ACORN, said, "It has deeply saddened
us to see Senator McCain abandon his historic support for ACORN and our
efforts to support the goals of low-income Americans. Maybe it is out of
desperation that Senator McCain has forgotten that he was for ACORN before
he was against ACORN; he was for immigration reform before he was against
immigration reform; and he was a maverick before he became erratic. We were
thrilled to partner with him to help reform the outdated immigration laws
in this country, and were pleased to work closely with him on this issue."
Lewis continued, "We expected Senator McCain to support our efforts to
give voice to millions of American's who have never participated in an
election before. We are surprised at his efforts to vilify an organization
that, until recently, he saw as an ally. Maybe this surprise attack and
change of heart is indicative of his state of mind, and the way he would
govern."
Senator McCain and his campaign have recently launched a series of
coordinated attacks on ACORN, the nation's largest community organization
of low-and middle-income families.
Ms. Lewis went on to say that, "We are sure that the extremists he is
trying to get into a froth will be even more excited to learn that John
McCain stood shoulder to shoulder with ACORN, at an ACORN co-sponsored
event, to promote immigration reform."
Senator McCain was joined at the rally by Rep. Kendrick Meek (D-FL),
Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart (RFL), leaders from both political parties,
immigrant communities, and members of labor, business, and religious
organizations.
About ACORN
ACORN is the nation's largest grassroots community organization of low-
and moderate-income people with over 400,000 member families organized into
more than 1,200 neighborhood chapters in 110 cities across the country.
Since 1970, ACORN has been building community organizations that are
committed to social and economic justice, and won victories on thousands of
issues of concern to our members, through direct action, negotiation,
legislative advocacy and voter participation. ACORN helps those who have
historically been locked out become powerful players in our democratic
system. The organization recently completed its national voter registration
drive by registering 1.3 million new voters across 21 states.
For More Information Contact:
Brian Kettenring: (727) 692-7215 or
flacornho@acorn.org
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