Victory for ACORN Spells Hope for Many Foreclosure Victims

Victory for ACORN is spelling hope for many Afro-Asian foreclosure victims. A legal suit had been initiated by Center for Constitutional Rights. Recently Federal Judge Nina Gershon gave the ruling that last September Congress had gone against the constitution by cutting off federal funds due to ACORN. An injunction was issued by her to stop the federal authorities from continuing to stop the supply of funds due in the past, present and in future. ACORN is the biggest community organization representing those with low income in the country.

Senators Bernard Sanders and Patrick Leahy were two of the senators among five others who took the stand that the stopping of funds to Association of Community Organization for Reform Now or ACORN was unconstitutional. Peter Welch representing ACORN once more resorted to the easy way of exit and failed to forcefully establish the significant legal principle.

Thanks to the recent ruling ACORN would once more have access to federal funds running into millions of dollars so as to continue with its work of counseling those who are at risk from foreclosures. The organization comprises of 500,000 members. From 1994 it has received government grants amounting to nearly $54 million. It would now be qualified to apply afresh for participation in new federal programmes.

It is a moot question to find out why the Congress’ vote to stop funds to ACORN against the constitution. It was because Congress singled out this organization and the affiliates of ACORN. This sort of action tantamounts to a bill of attainder. The latter is an act that punishes only one individual or group – something which the Constitution specifically bans. Those who drafted the action against ACORN are well aware of how the bill of attainder worked. In the 18th century in England the parliament had passed numerous such types of bills to imprison or silence or even put to death political foes.

The decision taken by Gershon upheld the authority of the court, instead of that of the Congress to decide who was innocent and who was guilty. It held up the right to follow the due process of law, the carefully scrutiny of evidence rather than indulging in party passions to add fire to political ill feeling.

The trouble started when investigators came upon the questionable activities of some ACORN employees. The entire episode was captured by a video camera last September. It gave a handle to the conservatives to loudly beat their drums. Pressure was placed on the Congress to pass the bill that cut off all funds to ACORN and its affiliates, allies and subsidiaries.