December 7, 2009, Washington, DC—Former Massachusetts Attorney General Scott Harshbarger today issued a report on an independent inquiry into ACORN's organizational systems and processes and made public his recommendations.
The following are statements by leaders of major progressive organizations.
Nan Aron, President, Alliance for Justice
"We are pleased to see former Attorney General Harshbarger's recommendations to ACORN.
"This independent report serves as a valuable reminder that in barring ACORN from competing for federal contracts when no lawbreaking had occurred, Congress rushed to judgment and violated fundamental constitutional rights.
"Heavily doctored video footage that has never been released in its entirety was used to stampede Congress into a politically driven panic.
"Congress should now turn its attention to its real responsibilities -- including supporting America's nonprofit organizations that speak for the voiceless, make democracy work, and provide essential services in our communities' time of crisis."
Wade Henderson, President and CEO, Leadership Conference on Civil Rights
"We welcome today's report on ACORN from former Massachusetts Attorney General Scott Harshbarger. We're confident that the recommendations in the report will benefit ACORN and help restore public trust in this vital community service organization.
"The results of this independent investigation should also be a reminder to Congress, the media, and others who rushed to condemn ACORN before knowing all the facts. The real embarrassment here is the unwarranted persecution of a nonprofit organization that has worked diligently for nearly 40 years to improve the lives of America's poor and minority communities.
"Those who need ACORN and benefit from its unheralded work don't have TV and radio shows and aren't interested in scoring political points. They only want their fair shot at achieving the American dream. It's time to stop bashing ACORN and to help our fellow Americans achieve the economic justice they deserve."
Alan Charney, Program Director, USAction
"Now that former Massachusetts Attorney General Scott Harshbarger has concluded his independent inquiry, we hope that ACORN will fix what needs to be fixed and move on to do the work that needs to be done. Hundreds of thousands of low-income homeowners still face the threat of home foreclosure. Millions more face the threat of job loss and catastrophic health care costs. For many low-income people, particularly including people of color and immigrants, ACORN's work is important and its voice is indispensable."
Benjamin Todd Jealous, NAACP President and CEO and Hilary Shelton, NAACP Senior Vice President for Policy and Advocacy
"The NAACP commends ACORN for continuing to evaluate, address, and work to resolve legitimate concerns exposed through both internal evaluations, as well as commissioned independent reports auditing its processes, practices, and procedures. We are convinced ACORN is moving in the right direction and can further safeguard against the problems it has experienced by also implementing the recommendations made by former Attorney General Scott Harshbarger, in addition to the improvements it has already implemented.
"However, the glaring injustice that must still be addressed is the premature actions of the Congress and a few government agencies to cut off funding prior to the completion of a thorough review of the findings in investigations that have yet to be completed. In addition to the reviews and investigations underway, there are a number of court cases ACORN is involved in that should have been allowed to conclude before the Congress or the agencies acted. This aberration of due process should be reviewed and corrected prior to barring any governmental funding for ACORN.
"Poor and disadvantaged communities in America desperately need action by Congress to address unemployment, homelessness, lack of health care, and other critical problems. These issues, among others, have been priorities of ACORN since the organization's inception. ACORN has a proven track record of legally and in a non-partisan manner, bringing hundreds of thousands of new and often disenfranchised voters into our democratic process.
"Rather than prematurely barring funding to this important organization that has contributed so significantly to our democracy, we urge Congress to support ACORN and others from the nonprofit and private sector to find ways during this economic crisis to meet the vital needs of all American families for jobs, health care, and quality education."
Robert L. Borosage, Co-Director, Campaign for America's Future
"Today's report on ACORN from former Massachusetts Attorney General Scott Harshbarger provides a clear view of the controversy around ACORN. It concludes that ACORN needs to tighten internal procedures, and strengthen its management.
"Harshbarger also confirms what those who looked beyond the frenzy realized. ACORN's staffers committed no acts in response to the infamous secret video hit team – no acts legal or illegal. Instead, an organization that has done remarkable work organizing and empowering the poorest Americans was targeted and slurred by a right-wing hit team, then persecuted by legislators who should have known better. They should be ashamed to rush to judgment on the basis of videotapes that were clearly doctored and edited, even as the video team refuses to make the full tapes available.
"ACORN has a proud record of service empowering the most vulnerable. It has begun to reform its management and tighten its procedures. Now it is time to stop hunting ACORN – and time to shine light on the not-so-hidden agenda and disreputable tactics of those who have targeted ACORN for assault."
Eric Burns, President, Media Matters for America
"This investigation, which confirms that there was no illegal conduct on the videotapes, introduces an entirely new element to conservative media's witch hunt against ACORN.
"It will be telling to see how much, or how little, coverage Andrew Breitbart, Glenn Beck, Fox News and other right-wing media leaders will devote to the results of this investigation. They did everything they could to push the fake story of widespread corruption at ACORN. Will they consider the truth to be as newsworthy?"
Bill Quigley, Legal Director, Center for Constitutional Rights
"This report shows why the Congressional rush to judgment by right-wing critics of ACORN was so wrong and why careful and fair due process is necessary. We filed a lawsuit seeking a preliminary injunction to stop the unconstitutional defunding of the organization, and we expect to see a decision very soon. Targeting a single organization for the purposes of political grandstanding constitutes a Bill of Attainder, something expressly forbidden since the very founding of this country."
Deepak Bhargava, Executive Director, Center for Community Change
"The report illustrates that there was an errant rush to judgment by Congress and the media. We believe that ACORN now deserves the opportunity to implement the report's nine proposed recommendations. The organization's history of work on behalf of low income people of color is too important to surrender to the corporate interests that have attacked ACORN and other groups fighting for all Americans who are having such a tough time during this economic crisis."
Michael B. Keegan, President, People For the American Way
"The Harshbarger report provides sorely needed perspective on ACORN. In recent years the group has been accused by its opponents of doing just about everything, and no claim has been too wild to be passed off as fact. If ACORN's antagonists are to be believed, the group stole the 2008 election, is responsible for the housing mortgage meltdown, and will receive billions in federal bailout funds.
"While today's report should dampen this paranoia, that's no doubt expecting too much. After all, right-wing groups and talkers from Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck all the way down have gained much by fanning the flames. But fair-minded observers should take note.
"The Harshbarger report reveals an organization that is coming to terms with its shortcomings and has a plan to address them. It also highlights an organization that does vital work on behalf of low-income and minority Americans. The group's voter registration efforts, while much maligned by the right, have contributed to significant, legitimate increases in minority voter participation.
"We hope that members of Congress and the media will take note of today's report and reconsider their rush to judgment."
Page Gardner, Founder and President, Women’s Voices Women Vote
"Today, the former Massachusetts Attorney General, Scott Harshbarger, released his independent report on the management and governance of ACORN, as well as the recent controversy concerning secret videos filmed at various ACORN offices.
"The Harshbarger Report finds that there was no illegal behavior by ACORN employees captured in the videos, and that while ACORN’s rapid growth over the last decade resulted in management shortcomings, ACORN has been aggressively implementing a series of steps to remedy the shortfalls.
"ACORN has made enormous contributions to low-income Americans and to their participation in the democratic process. ACORN’s voter registration work has made a major contribution to the increase in voter turn-out among young, African American, Latino and low-income citizens. ACORN has been a strong voice for the disenfranchised."
