WADE RATHKE is the founder of ACORN, Chief Organizer at ACORN International, and Author of "Nuts & Bolts", "Citizen Wealth", "Global Grassroots", and "The Battle for the 9th Ward".
New Orleans The Grassroots Radio Conference is an interesting confederation of progressive, noncommercial community radio stations from around the country. Annually, they have a conference. I spoke at one some years ago in Portland and showed part of The Organizer movie. I didn’t make it to the conference in Louisville, but bought the t-shirt. …
Oshawa An ACORN Convention would never be confused with some corporate or even big union affair. There’s an agenda, but nothing is scripted, and that’s especially true of the first night’s “speak out” when each office gives its report of wins and worries over the previous two years. It’s a zany affair with chants, whoops, …
Helena, Arkansas We were up and out before 5am. This was my monthly trip to Arkansas, but it was going to come with a twist. We were going to stop on the way in Helena West Helena, Arkansas to finally meet Andrew Bagley, publisher and editor of the Helena World. I had been talking …