Art and Politics he was the son of a runaway slave who became a singer an actor champion football player anti-racist activists internationalist socialist humanist he was blacklisted for his political views in particular for speaking out abroad about racial discrimination in the United States in Peekskill New York racist picketed a concert of his there and following the performance a riot broke out as police stood aside as racists attacked concert goers because he remained popular in Europe in order to fully derail his career the u.s. State Department revoked his passport so welcome in the u.s. And for didn't to travel outside the country his brilliant and promising career ground to a halt today Paul Robeson is recognized as one of the world's greatest singers as well as the world's greatest Shakespearean actor today we remember Paul Robeson here is ropes and in his role as. A fellow came from a culture. Beach in tennis he came from Africa he stepped in. And he felt he was betraying his honest betrayed and human. Petri. So when they come to him. He speaks and say. I've done the state some serious and they know which. One you shall be. Really. Speak of me as I am. Nothing extenuate. Own all. Must you speak of one. Loved One leave to where. I'm not easily jealous but be. Perplexed to meet St. You. Grew up years as a foster spirit. There in this little. City to do this and to see visitors that want to. Be diminishing introduced the state. Took by not trying. And. I'm. Just. Here you. Know with the piece. From. Paul Robeson the world's greatest Shakespearean actor in his role as a fellow of the live in a global world where all interrelated so wants to join or truth we work to bring directly to you news and views on local national and international policies and stories that affect us all and to draw out how those of us most impacted women communities of color and other communities are responding we also discuss the interrelationship between art and politics now for our news headlines. I'm expert Bill with these headlines defense secretary Jim Mattis made his 1st visit to the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea today standing before the heavily guarded border between the 2 countries mad is said to policy is the only desirable way to end the standoff over the North's nuclear weapons program he made the point over and over at the Panmunjom a truce village where North literally meet south at a military observation post inside the demilitarized zone and an off the cuff comments to u.s. And South Korean troops Mattis arrived at the d.m.z. And a Black Hawk helicopter from the South Korean capital Seoul about 25 miles away Mattis also criticized the Kim Jong un regime for abusing human rights and denying his people freedom Spanish prime minister Mario no real Jorge made an impassioned speech asking the parliament to grant his government special constitutional measures that would allow it to take control of Catalonia as autonomous powers and hope the region's independence bid he spoke through an interpreter if you have been you know in my opinion we have no other alternative the only thing we can do is to resort to the little mood let's keep the law but in the cattle on capital of Barcelona separatists lawmakers filed a proposal for the regional parliament to vote later today on whether to break away from Spain and establish an independent republic thousands of independent supporters gathered near the parliament building in the north eastern sea and hyssop ation of that historic declaration opposition lawmakers in Catalonia as a regional parliament had walked out and protest separatists hold a slim majority and the cattle on Parliament Roy said his Conservative government's 1st move would be to dismiss Catalan President Carlos push tomorrow and his regional ministers if the Senate approved the Spanish government's use of article 155 of the constitution and a vote. Later today that measure allows Spain to take over government operations in Spain's different regions President Trump has block the release of hundreds of records on the assassination of President John f. Kennedy bending to CIA and f.b.i. Appeals of the National Archives came out with a hefty cache of others Trump said in a memo quote I have no choice citing potentially irreversible harm to national security if he were to allow all records to come out now he placed those files under a 6 month review while letting $2800.00 others come out racing a deadline to honor a law mandating their release the documents approved for release and made public late Thursday capture the frantic days after the November 22nd 1963 assassination during which federal agents madly chased after tips however thin juggled the rumors and sifted through leads worldwide Democratic senators are harshly criticizing a national park service plan to impose a steep increases an entrance fees at $17.00 of its most popular parks including the Grand Canyon Yellowstone Zion and California's Yosemite National Park the senators say the plan it would exclude many Americans from enjoying national parks and call the proposed feel levels arbitrary and unjustifiable under a plan announced this week visitors to many national parks would be charged to $70.00 per vehicle during the peak summer season up from $25.00 or 30 dollars per vehicle now officials say the higher fees are needed to address a backlog of maintenance and infrastructure projects California state lawmakers heard from women who say they've been the victims of widespread sexual harassment at the State Capitol on Thursday women who work in and around the Capitol signed an open letter to lawmakers about their own experiences with harassment in the wake of allegations against formerly would producer Harvey Weinstein Christopher Martinez reports the woman who signed on to the letter include. At least 6 current lawmakers as well as from our lawmakers and current and former lobbyists both Democrats and Republicans Sabrina Lockhart worked Friday does a staffer for Republican legislative leaders and then Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger she also signed the we said enough letter I notice a small movement on social media and was quite frankly surprised to see nearly every woman that I worked with in our around the Capitol had voiced on social media that they too had been a victim. Perhaps in the workplace the movement has spread beyond California state capitol lawmakers and lobbyists in Illinois have posted the similar letter with the hash tag I say no more and California Assembly and Senate leaders have also announced actions the Senate will be hiring outside lawyers to investigate complaints and consultants to review procedures the assembly is planning hearings on the issue in November on the state capital beat I'm Christopher mightiness I'm Max Pringle You're listening to Sojourner Truth on Pacifica Radio this is market Prescott host of suture truth Paul Robeson a 20th century renaissance man an athlete actor singer cultural scholar author and political activists son of a former slave poor ropes and was born and raised during a period of segregation lynching and overt racism he was one of the top performers of his time earning more money than many white entertainers his concert career spanned the globe including Vienna Berlin Paris London mosque out of New York Nairobi and other cities he spoke 15 languages and earned no fewer than 12 Griese despite his genius he has been but erased from popular history due to his radical political bullies. And activism he petitioned the president of the United States for an anti-lynching law and he promote self rule on the continent of Africa he helped victims of the Spanish civil war he fought for India's independence and championed equality for all people while enduring terrorism band performances racism and discrimination throughout his career and today we are going to remember and honor Paul ropes and we are so delighted that we have yet again gotten permission to offer you the Paul Robeson world citizen the porches of the artists for d.v.d. Box set it is an incredible box set it has 8 of his classic films the special features it has a book and it includes new video programs and I'm afraid I only have 15 the 1st 15 people to call and pledge at the $250.00 level will be able to get this box set I'm calling on 11 other people to get this incredible box set only 15 of them so if I live in more of you can get the box set by calling 18955735 that would just be fantastic We're also offering up a dollar a day pack the ropes and black history dollars a day pack that includes the 4 d.v.d. Box set with the 8 films and the book except it also includes black history for gigabyte jump drive that includes Rosa Parks James Baldwin Byard Rustin Malcolm x. Fannie Lou Hamer Debbie Dubois John Coltrane and to Morrison incredible Pat I want to quickly now go on to Paul Robeson his story the important moments of ropes and career man. River has Broadway performance as well fellow his major role in the Emperor Jones his work as a concert singer Let's go to that clip right now there are moments in a great artists life which should be remembered forever yet for Paul Robeson those moments were nearly obliterated blotted out by the fears and political anxieties we equipped America in the early 1950 s. . One such moment occurred over half a century ago. I am a stain and Jerome Kern wrote a song expressly for and dedicated to a young singer no one who has ever heard Paul Robeson same old man ever forget. And even of all manner of I had never been written there was another moment it was a performance on stage that still. Stands in the record books the longest running Shakespearean play in the history of the Broadway theater. It was a park many actors have made a 1000000. Perhaps. There are new sporty but equally. As. Good. A performance that was the combination of 20 years of work and understand. Just from America to say pass and chance and do for the morning do and do and I have to go but it was stripped. Of Shakespeare and to do with great care it was de i.e. Wu and it was not you and c h a u n C's it was given to you and. 30. 1 turned up with difficult sound was was my almost at the beginning of the play my services which I have done the scenery my services services I would say. I had to work on that very. But later I did some special work University of London and also in my university days I majored in English and I have records from the earliest time moves time of Anglo-Saxon is met with fiction through choices and. Of course since I worked on my songs with Roger and I couldn't work up yours so it seemed to be only. Page with minds got to be very. Much. Fellow was more important for another reason simple human dignity. Right men wearing black makeup had been kissing Desdemona for years on the American stage but this was the 1st time a black man would play. Supporting cast actually in 1926 black American. Black cast. Not allowed to play in his native America but in 1903 America had changed. But he wouldn't break. The play in. The problems. Don't get those opportunities and I would. Be very. Much in such a part. But. The absence Korea started in the early 1920 s. It was a time. Early works. Through acting when he was seen by Eugene O'Neill It was his performance as the Emperor Jones in a revival of the. First. Consciousness. There is no visual. Performance in 1904 this is a scene from the film which was made. 9 years later. In the next 4 years the sound was heard around the world. 28 ropes and opened in the London production of Show Boat and it's interesting. For the 1st time a year. 1988 . Changed the word to. Any change in terms of today's thing. In the years to come. It was 19. America. As one German newspaper headline. Still another on the state it happened almost by accident back in 1024. Act the Emperor Jones and the script. To exit hands in his pockets. The director. See if you want. Was. Elated. It was actually. Well. Sang the world he sang for the people and he sang the royal families. Of the world expanded so did his music he became compositions in many languages he began to sing folk songs in the languages they were written and so really idea of my concert is suggestion that brothers because of their music and in my 1st group are you doing English so I do one or. Let me go 12th century from Czechoslovakia. Corel's but up it do everything 12 centuries preceded the carouse upon which children Sebastian Bach based his music so I take verse and then I do a back. And then I create a slight confusion by doing integral spiritual right in the middle because it belongs there. To. Stand out. On a day stood still it was January $27938.00 at Terrell Al Spain Robson had come to the front to sing to the Republican soldiers somehow the shooting quieted down loudspeakers were put up and for a day I was stopped while 2 opposing armies listened to a man saying. In Spain another change in the words. I'm tired of living and scared of dying became we must keep fighting until we are dying. It was beginning to turn from a song. To a song. A . The other unforgettable concert was in St Paul's Cathedral in London groups and shows him Jacob's Ladder and he sang for 1000 people in the cathedral and 5000 more who stood outside and this. Week. Classic material as our Paul Robeson the number to call is 818-985-5735 we are offering up Paul Robeson portraits of the artist it's a 4 d.v.d. Box set inside of it it has 8. Classic films including special features it has a book and house for new video programs the number is 818-985-5735 The Pledge level for that box set of this classic is 2 $150.00 and let me tell you a last time I offered this company they got it from had lost their rights to be able to offer this they temporarily I have it I snagged 15 copies I have 15 copies I suggest you get it now I hope that you will join me and pledge at any level by calling 821-898-5573 extension 5 if you can't manage to get the box set we do have the Paul Robeson world citizen at $60.00 pledge. Avel a $60.00 pledge level and you will be able to take home that cd and you know what if $36.00 of you call and pledge at the $60.00 level we'll make our goal of 3000 dollars for this hour I have to raise another $2750.00 before the top of this hour I suggest that you get this material because we don't know how long this will last if the license will remain There's a lot of controversy around it they are 8 films that are part of it you have the Emperor Jones you have the d.v.d. Paul Robeson tribute to an artist you also have the classic body and soul directed by Oscar Micheaux back in Michigan back in 1025 you got borderline from 1930 Sanders of the river 935 Jericho 937 the proud Valley 1940 native land 1902 listen this is classic material I would hate few to lose out and that's why I'm pledging today to make sure that in my family we have this box set because I don't know how much longer it will be around 818-985-5735 I need 7 of you calling getting the dollar a day pack that will include not only these 8 films and this beautiful box set and the book but it will also include a black history jump drive 33 hours of historic adieux that includes Rosa Parks James Baldwin Byard Russ than Malcolm x. Fannie Lou Hamer June Jordan John Coltrane and so many others George Jackson Dick Gregory Debbie e.b. Dubois Cornell West Eldridge Cleaver Ameri Baracoa It's incredible that is a $200.00 pledge in and of itself so basically for a dollar a day you are getting items the value of which is $450.00 h. $18900.00. 55735 so I need to see those phone lines going I'm making a last call now I've got 15. Box sets available I need 7 people getting the dollar a day pack again the number is 828-985-5735 I want to go on now to hear more from Paul Robeson 1939 performance of ballot for americans us c.b.s. Radio his increasing political outspokenness and changes of the lyrics of Old Man River Let's go to that clip right now. 30. First sang for Americans radio. 8. From my memory. America and World War 2 ballad for American extraordinary appeals. In 1905. Just to read this tribute to the president. With. The end of World War 2 political views separated him from most Americans. From this point on his artistic career was almost entirely political only sang for causes in which he beat as at the Paris Peace Conference. 1949 he went on a triumphant European concert tour between concerts ropes and spoke out plainly as to why he believed. There was a severe reaction in the United States'. Old . They were. The Mississippi was now the only man he didn't like to be. You show a little grit and you land in jail I guess for today you could say you show a little grit and you end up shot this is Margaret Prescott Whoa stop suggested truth and we're honoring the late great Paul Robeson and I've got just 14 box sets of his classic Paul wrote some portraits of the artists for d.v.d. Box set it's 8 classic films and you know what I want to make a last call for them right now the pledge level is $250.00 I have pledged will somebody please match my pledge for $250.00 I am making an appeal now I'd like somebody to match my pledge of 2 $150.00 and double my pledge for today but I also need 7 of you calling to get our dollar a day pack ropes and black history dollar a day pack and it's incredible the value of that dollar a day pack if you got individual items would be $450.00 offering it up at a dollar a day today it includes the 4 disc set of The Paul ropes and beautiful box set by the way they're 8 films and that box set is special features it also has a book that has 4 new video programs these are collector's items these a classic items people and for the dollar a day pack there are 4 D.V.D.'s with 8 films and m p 3 of black history that includes an incredible collection of black history voices including Dubois Fannie Lou Hamer James Baldwin Rosa Parks Cornell West Angela Davis. Bobby Seale Dick Gregory the John Coltrane Nelson Mandela Billie Holiday my Angela and so much more 821-829-8557 extension 5 it's a 4 gig jump drive the Paul Robeson box set a dollar a day you will get that 889855735 I want to see if anybody's matching my 250 dollar pledge please last call for this I'm not going to be offering this any longer if I've got any of these items that have to over let me tell you I'm going to send it over to our station. In New York City because they appreciate ropes in there and it flies out of the station when I offer it in New York City something California should not be any different we've got a goal of 3000 dollars for this hour we are behind in our goal for this hour and for this drive and let me tell you something here we are trying to remain as positive as we can we need to keep the doors open here if you are listening to right now I need you to pick up the phone and pledge at any level you could become a sustainer pledging $10.00 or more a month taken from your credit card or debit account once a month open ended for just one a year pledge at the $1000.00 level and you could become an advocate with your name on a plaque in the front office at k p f k we've got to keep our doors open We've got bills to pay the average monthly cost to fund the station is $307000.00 Ok h 189855735 mil you help to keep k p s k on the air or will you go to 90.7 and not hear so Journal truth and instead hear one of the right wing talk radio as you know the right wing people conservative people they support their media people who are progressive who are liberal because to fall down on that and the. That's why 95 percent of talk radio is right wing Air America they went bankrupt Ok they tried and they went bankrupt Pacifica we have managed for over 60 years now but without you picking up the phone and calling us we also could fold that's just the reality of it are you going to sit on your hands you've got to pick up the phone and call pledge at the $60.00 level it will send you the Paul Robeson world citizen cd and pledge at the $250.00 level we will send you this limited box set of Paul robes and I had 18 of them I need 8. 8 of you getting the dollar a day pack I need 11 more of you getting the box set I want to go on now to another clip from Paul Robeson the racist backlash of his politics including a 949 riot that erupted at a civil rights concert Peekskill New York let's go there right now but I need to see those phone calls coming in if not I'm sending this stuff to New York City and they can have them and some in California you will have them anymore that's the reality of it and also k p f k we gotta keep our doors open you're not picking up and calling we cannot do that I'm speaking plain to you right now I'm trying to remain positive but I got to speak to tell you the truth of what's going on and what's going on is that we are in crisis and I need you picking up the phone and pledging $500.00 a $1000.00 pledge at any level right now because there is danger that you won't hear suggestion or truth and you know that we will be off the air and k p s k could possibly have to shut our doors that's the reality of it let's carry on the legacy of Paul Robeson Let's go to hear more from Robeson right now about Call us at 818-985-5735. Actually speaking out politically in your quest to be. He had scheduled on his return a 4th annual concert for the Civil Rights Congress in peace skill however those who want it is outspoken voice still threaten violence in groups and sang protesters paraded. Despite the threats on September 4th 1949 Robson came to see spectators cheered on the sidelines and the people came to this. Thing of the people. Because the concert was rain the threat of violence hundreds of concert goes volunteered and stood a circle of God around the audience and around Robson and so. When the concert was over the police did a little or nothing to avoid a confrontation. The concert goers were attacked as they left and a riot develop 140 people were injured. After Peekskill other cities became fearful concerts were cancelled Robson records were withdrawn from stores Robson content to speak out and condemnation of the man and his beliefs continued unbelievably even his selection years before as all-American and for Rutgers was wiped from the record the 197918 College Football Hall of Fame listed the only 10 man All-American team in history. The 11th man. Was eliminated erased from the record books. Then the secretary of state cancelled Robson's passport stating quote This action is taken because the department considers that Paul wrote since travel abroad would be contrary to the best interests of the United States. Of America didn't to travel to spend nearly all of the next decade of his life for his rights and everyone's rights in the courts. To Question Great State Department after my political opinion is a question of whether one wants to see. Every citizen political opinion and in attacking me they suggested that when I was abroad I spoke out against injustice with people in the United States I certainly did the Supreme Court justice. In the segregation cases that were opinion at a lot to do with Ruby. Go to school like anybody else in the south I'm very proud. Of directing worried opinion to precisely that condition. He was forbidden to go even to Canada thousands of Canadian miners came to the border to hear him sing but despite these shows of support in reality groups and was effectively barred from the. Concert stage and the movie studio. Finally in 1988 to its honor the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that the State Department had no right under law to deny a passport because of a man's beliefs and associations. The fight had been won but groups had lost 10 years out of his life at the height of his career to help when. It was a battle that destroyed his health as well once again he was a player and welcome to around the world but the years have gone by. One concert to a group of construction workers in Australia tells more of the story. From. Must keep fighting. I must keep finding. The number to call is 818-985-5735 let me tell you I've got 10 minutes left I only have 9 of those box sets left and they're very hard to come by we don't know how much longer the company will be able to offer it they had already once a loss the license to be able to offer it there's some temporary arrangement right now I've got 9 of them left the number to call is 828-985-5735 The Pledge level is $250.00 I ask you to join me and pledging at the $250.00 level which I did to get Paul Robeson portraits of the artist for a d.v.d. Box set that includes that box set includes 8 films one of course is Paul Robeson tribute to an artist but also Emperor Jones from 1933 these a classics people Body and Soul 1925 borderline 1930 Sanders of the river 1035 Jericho 937 the proud Valley 1940 native land 1902 you just heard in that clip how Paul wrote there was a racist backlash a riot breaking out the police stood aside 140 people were injured in it. You know young people today I asked them Who is Paul Rosen have they don't know who Paul Robeson is this is a tragedy Paul Robeson was grounded in the black struggle but he brought together people across the races black and white people you heard in that clip people streamed from across the border in Canada then the United States took his passport and didn't allow him to travel he went to the border and he sang for thousands of Canadians there 828-298-5573 extension 5 we lost Paul Robeson January 23rd 1976 the the CIA and the British intelligence they experimented on him they shot him up with the drugs they try to make him crazy they tried to destroy this man it's up to you to lift up his name it's up to you to pass on to the next 5 generations who Paul Robeson is I need 5 people calling at the dollar a day level for us to meet our goal for this hour the dollar a day level pack the value individually is 450 dollars 250 dollars pleasure the 4 d.v.d. Box set a 4 gigabyte black history jump drive that has John Coltrane Byard Rustin Malcolm x. James Baldwin the great Fannie Lou Hamer Dubois the Black Panther Angela Davis Maya Angelou and more h 189855735 help to remember Paul Robeson you know William Patterson and Paul Robeson then to the United Nations to charge the u.s. With the genocide around lynchings around Jim Crow around the what is happening with black people in this country he was loved in the Welsh valley the Irish are working class the miners they loved Paul Robeson because he was a humanist he supported the Us Spanish Civil War He raised money for people Jewish people who were in concentration camps and World War 2 This was a world citizen. Brought be together let us not forget him 818-298-5573 extension 5 Let us not forget k p f k we have to keep our doors open we have to keep the show on the air we have to keep k.p. F.-k. Going but we cannot do it it won't happen if you don't pick up the phone and call us right now pledging any level become a sustainer pledge at the 1000 dollar level send this material out to schools a black lives matter groups send it to Ireland send it to the Welsh valley you know it doesn't really matter he was a world citizen bringing people together understanding that discrimination against black people in the United States was connected was injury latest of the oppression of people oppressed everywhere in the world whatever your risk is but he never forgot the black struggle here in the United States but able to bring people together across races 821-898-5573 extension 5 helped to keep the show on the road on the air helped to keep the station doors open I want to go on now to another short clip of Paul Robeson an interview with our sister station k p f a where he talks about the Welsh valley and the common struggle for all oppressed people but keep calling to get that dollar day packing getting 4 D.V.D.'s one m.p. 3 and getting 8 films and all the descent includes 4 new video programs I don't know what else to do for your last call for this material if I have stuff left over I'm sending it to New York City because they know how to appreciate Paul robes and I hope that our listeners in Southern California do as well 818-985-5735 I've got to raise another $1500.00 in the next 3 minutes. But tell me Mr Rosen what is your commitment to the political scene then likely as a result but little about your own people our own people let's put it yes. They did have other overtones I said 1st like dictionaries 1st it starts as an American to go instead my own people the other great changes very constant in my mind I was in the Welsh valley and the Welsh people sing very much like we do in a group people yes I've heard many of our soldiers beautiful songs and I was one of the few outsiders who who has sung at a Welsh estate for their national festival which is going on as the time of the Druids and I went down in the mines with the workers and they explained to me that pull you may be successful here and but your people suffer like ours we are poor people and you belong to us you don't belong to the big weeks here in this country and so I today feel as much at home in the Welsh family as I would in my own nickel section in any city the United States and I just did a broadcast by translating cable to the Welsh valley a few weeks so and he was the 1st understanding that the struggle of the Negro people or any people cannot be by itself that is the human struggle and so I was directed then to to make many members the Labor Party and my politics embrace also the common struggle of all oppressed peoples including especially the working masses specifically the laboring people of all the world and that the that difference my philosophy is a joining one of we are watching people laboring people in the group people and there's a unity between our struggle and those of white workers in the south like white workers shake my hand and say Paul we are fighting for the same thing because of this difference my attitude toward socialism and toward many other things in the world I do not believe that a few people should control the wealth of any land but it should be a collective ownership in the interest but a number to call is a. An 89855735 I only have 5 a box sets left of this Paul Robeson portraits of the artist 8 films classic films and it has a book featuring essays by Paul Robeson himself and others the by the way purchase of the artist that d.v.d. Is now rated by Sidney Poitier you that great actor 828-298-5573 extension 5 of the one minute I've got 5 of the box sets left I need to raise another $1500.00 to meet our goal but the top of the hour this is market Prescott house of suggested truth appealing to you to keep this show on the air to keep the doors of k.p. F.-k. Open it costs $307000.00 a month to keep this station open and we're not funded by corporations you know Paul Robeson he was blacklisted his career was ruined because he spoke out for justice you know he went to the United Nations with William Patterson and to say we charge genocide back in $1051.00 he told after the lynchings of for African-Americans he met with President Truman and admonish Truman for not and that's in legislation to end lynching this is Paul Robeson let's honor him 818-985-5735 get the dollar a day packed with 7 items in it I want to go answer your phone I've got to get off the air right now but keep calling us at 818-985-5735 get one of the 5 box sets that are left 818-985-5735 thank you for calling in pledging this is. Thank. You thank. Thank. You. Thank. You Thank You. Thank. You. Thank. You Thanks. This is k.p. a. 7. Point 7 percent to bar worldwide. From t.p.s. The Pacifica Radio in Los Angeles This is rising up what's on Ali and I'm your host so non-equal Hucker we're online a rising up what's on Ali dot com on today's program we'll turn to the dire situation in Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria Sammi Namir only virus of the Center for popular democracy will give us a report on the ongoing slow motion disaster unfolding on the island and specifically how you can help that's coming up in just a moment. Gave you keep us a pic on radio this is rising up what's on Ali and I'm your host so not equal her car and you can watch this show on free speech t.v. And listen to it on Pacifica Radio stations and affiliates nationwide the majority of Puerto Rico's are still living without electrical power more than a month after the devastating hurricane Maria hit the island as a trumpet ministrations facing scrutiny for its. Your response to the emergency many are questioning why the largest federal contract to rebuild Puerto Rico's power grid went to a tiny Montana based firm with only 2 full time employees the farm whitefish energy is based in interior secretary Ryan Zinke is home town and it was mysteriously awarded a 300000000 dollars dollar contract or over more experienced firms while President Donald Trump recently gave his administration a 10 out of 10 for the federal response to Maria but some one mayor Carmen you least you can cruise shot back saying it was more like 10 out of 100 she has also criticized the contents of federal food aid to Puerto Rican zx which apparently included shelf stable junk food items like chocolate pudding and skittles my guess to Sammy Namir all about is he is the communications associate with the Center for popular democracy Welcome to the program Sami thank you so last time we spoke it was just days after the hurricane hit it's now been over a month can you give us an assessment of where Puerto Ricans are right now in terms of access to power and how they are living without power for so long right this equation in Puerto Rico is still very car or has that improved margin or anything basically thins. With this that is the islands who weeks ago 3 third's of. Of the population 76 percent of the population of the of those not have electricity and then one ther of the Revelation still don't have clean drinking water. There are 26 percent of whatever he can do not have water service those ones who have water needs to boil it but then they.