In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Speak Out California President Hannah-Beth Jackson sent out the following message to members today:

“The good neighbor looks beyond the external accidents and discerns those inner qualities that make all men human and, therefore, brothers.”
– Martin Luther King Jr., ‘Strength to Love,’ 1963
As we share in sadness and despair at the extent of the death and destruction in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, our hearts go out to the thousands of people who are suffering the direct impacts of this great tragedy. In the spirit of community, and because of our values that guide us to take care of one another, we wanted to offer the opportunity for our members to give to the devastated victims of Hurricane Katrina. We know there are several options available, and we thank you if you have already supported one or more of them. If not, may we suggest an option that you might not already have considered:
Click here to support ACORN
ACORN is a national community organization headquartered in New Orleans that fights to defend the social and economic rights of low and moderate income families, those most heavily hurt by the recent storm and lack of adequate relief response. The ACORN national headquarters in New Orleans has succumbed to the flood waters and many ACORN family members throughout New Orleans have been displaced.
ACORN is not a relief organization. Your tax-deductible donation will help ACORN:
1. Establish a temporary headquarters in Baton Rouge and reopen their New Orleans office as soon as possible;
2. Service housing and credit needs of impacted communities;
3. Organize individuals to ensure that low-income neighborhoods and families have a voice that will challenge public officials to treat all people fairly and get relief and rebuilding aid to the people who need it most.
Of course, many of you have responded to our political calls over the past several weeks and months, and we are grateful. Your efforts just this week have helped lead to the rejection of the Governor’s pro-industry, anti-environment selection to head the California Air Resources Board. You will be pleased to know that Thursday the Senate rejected Cindy Tuck’s nomination as the Air Resources Board chair. Your rapid and overwhelming response sent a clear message to the Senate, and the Governor, that we are committed to protecting public health over corporate wealth.
Thank you again for your help and activism, through this current tragedy and always.
Sincerely,
Hannah-Beth Jackson and the rest of the Speak Out California team