No Eviction! No Genocide PR in Bristol! City to host Acorn national convention 30Aug25 Elsie, Wesley

Wesley Bear and Elsie Bradley-Middle, from Acorn, join Tony and Martin. ACORN take over science centre in demonstration Union ACORN occupied science centre We The Curious on Saturday as part of a protest against the centre hosting an insurer linked to Israeli companies.

https://politicsthisweek.gn.apc.org/2025/07/not-the-bcfm-politics-show-presented-by-tony-gosling-250/

There were more than 80 members of ACORN involved, including parents and their children. The group say they were made aware by staff members that We The Curious had allowed for AXA insurers to use their events space for a conference. AXA insurers have continuously been condemned by protesters for investing in companies that sell weapons to Israel. ACORN took control of the entrances and let families enter for free In an email to the centres’ CEO Donna Speed, the group said they were “outraged” that they were “supporting arms companies selling weapons to Israel, while Israel commits genocide against Palestinians.” The group also cited a plaque in the museum that “celebrated Leonardo UK as a sponsor,” despite Leonardo UK making “F35 fighter jet parts that have been sold to Israel and used in Israel’s genocidal campaign in Gaza.” The group went into the centre and demanded that as a result of these ties, visitors would enter the centre for free that day. Blocking some of the entrances they say that more than 480 visitors were able to visit for free. Avon and Somerset Police were called to the centre at 1.47pm. A spokesperson said that: “Officers attended to enable a peaceful protest and found a group of about 40 people gathered.” Protesters gathered outside. James Baldwin of ACORN said: “The children are always ours, every single one of them, all over the globe; and I am beginning to suspect that whoever is incapable of recognising this may be incapable of morality. “We will not rest or stand by while you continue to work with arms companies that are complicit in the mass murder of Palestinian children. “We will use all our power to expose your unethical and immoral behaviour, until you reassess your position. “We, the people of Bristol, are capable of morality, and it is time to show us that you can be.” The group have demanded the following from We The Curious: Stop taking funds from all arms companies, including in particular those profiting from Israel’s genocide in Palestine Donate the money you received from Leonardo UK to a charity supporting Palestinians, such as Medical Aid for Palestinians State publicly that you are refusing to take funds from arms companies, and calling on other institutions in our city to do the same Sign up to Bristol Apartheid Free Zone We The Curious closed early and protesters left at 3.45pm.

Elsie and Wesley discuss the campaigns Acorn have been covering, mainly housing problems, but also pro Palestinian issues, and transport. They have been trying to work with the Green Bristol Council on these issues.ACORN WINS

Bristol Council voted to fund additional staff for debt advice services, agreed to meet with us to discuss reducing bailiffs, & we were repeatedly name-dropped during the vote We look forward to BCC continuing to meet our demands & the needs of Bristolians ACORN member and bus driver Mike and his family were being threatened by Marstons bailiffs who REFUSED to set up a payment plan for council tax owed and REFUSED to take into account vulnerabilities at the property. Not on our watch! A day later and a call from ACORN led to the bailiff order being suspended and Mike and his family have some breathing space. The bailiff we spoke to was already well aware of ACORN and his tone completely changed once they realised who they were dealing with! Another family free from bailiff harassment, and another bailiff who knows he can't push around ACORN members Bristol council have told us they've sent bailiffs to over 27000 Bristolian households in one recent year.Despite the council's so-called 'ethical debt collection policy', our members have reported that these bailiffs have ignored vulnerabilities and bullied low income people. We are demanding that Tony Dyer, leader of the council: Stops using bailiffs to collect council tax debt

Sky News report about a homeless man. Daniel Wren, a carpenter who, despite working, is unable to afford a place to live, highlighting the stark reality of working homelessness in Britain today. Daniel Wren has fallen on hard times and he is among a growing population of rough sleepers. His demographic, someone in the twilight of his working life, is one that homeless charities are increasingly concerned about. 'You don't think the bubble will burst':...

Acorn have their national conference coming up in Bristol on Saturday 30th August. Follow Acorn on X, Facebook, or their website. ACORN return to bailiffs to protest ‘harassment and intimidation’

https://acornuk.good.do/southwest/tony_dyer_medieval_email/