Alinsky, uh LIHN skee, Saul David (1909-1972), won fame for his efforts to help poor people help themselves. A professional organizer, he helped the poor in more than 40 U.S. communities to form groups to gain a voice in local affairs and improve their economic and social positions. These groups used various methods of social protest, including boycotts, picketing, rent strikes, and sit-down strikes.