ACORN

Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now

Statement from Margaret Williams, Board Member, Maryland

ACORN

September 10, 2009

Fox’s attempt to smear ACORN Thursday September 10, 2009 is despicable, part of a
coordinated, long-term campaign by Fox to damage ACORN, the premiere community
organization of low- and moderate-income people in the United States. Every day ACORN
members are working for health care reform, living wage jobs, to end the foreclosure crisis, and
to strengthen our public schools. For its part, Fox is running a campaign to demonize ACORN.
They will get attention, but they will not succeed.

In July 2009, Fox agents attempted to enter ACORN offices in New York, in Philadelphia, in
San Diego, in Los Angeles, and possibly other locales. In each case they were turned away, and
in Philadelphia ACORN staff were concerned enough that a police report was filed. In
Baltimore, the Fox squad deceived ACORN staff by consistently misrepresenting their
intentions. No tax returns were filed and no assistance was provided. But the ACORN
personnel in question have been terminated because their handling of the Fox agents
provocateurs did not meet ACORN’s standards of professionalism.

The larger pattern of Fox’s irresponsible actions here is the real news. From Glenn Beck calling
President Obama a racist, to Fox inciting racism and threats of violence with the Teaparties, to
Fox unleashing a hit job on ACORN the day after an inspiring Presidential healthcare speech
before Congress, Fox has long since abandoned any journalistic pretense. It is clear and not
coincidence that FOX continues to attack and divide our nation along racial lines. We believe
our country is beyond this type of attack and call on all Americans to demand that FOX stop its
racist coverage.

For More Information, Contact: Brian Kettenring, (727) 692-7215, bkettenring@acorn.org

New York Office: 2-4 Nevins, 2nd Fl. - Brooklyn, NY, 11217 - 718-246-7900
Washington DC Office: 739 8th Street SE - Washington, DC 20003 - 202-547-2500 - fax: 202-546-2483
1-877-55ACORN - natacorndc@acorn.org - www.acorn.org