Friend,

BIG NEWS: Yesterday the chairman of the House Energy & Commerce Committee sent an official request asking the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to formally investigate the communications collapse in Puerto Rico following Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. specifically cited Free Press’ work in his request — and pressure from members like you made that possible.

Your voice matters: Help us get more members of Congress on board with investigating the Trump FCC’s response in Puerto Rico.

Since the FCC has refused to investigate what happened in Puerto Rico, we don’t know all of the factors that contributed to the collapse of the islands’ communications system following the hurricanes. We do know that a history of colonialism and federal neglect have left Puerto Rico vulnerable to the devastating effects of climate change.

A GAO report represents one positive step toward getting answers, but more needs to happen to bring justice to Puerto Rico. Urge Congress to hold hearings into the Trump FCC’s response in Puerto Rico.

The inability to call for help or reach loved ones contributed to the massive death toll on the islands.

Between 3,000 and 5,000 people died after Hurricane Maria. Two years later, Congress is now finally hearing the cries of the victims’ loved ones and the Puerto Rican diaspora, including a team of Free Press staff who traveled to the islands in 2018 to listen to residents speak about how the communications crisis impacted their lives.

We’re grateful to Rep. Pallone but he can’t stand alone. We need more lawmakers to speak out.

Help us get justice in Puerto Rico: Sign the petition urging Congress to hold the FCC accountable and analyze the factors that caused the deadly collapse of communications after Hurricane Maria.

Residents of Puerto Rico are committed to telling the story of what happened in their communities. Now it’s up to us to ensure that their stories are heard.

Their brave testimonies will never see the light of day if Congress and the FCC don’t do their job and fully investigate — just as they did following Hurricane Katrina in 2006.

Why is Puerto Rico being treated differently? The sad reality is that our government and media have spent the last century ignoring the poor people of color who largely make up the islands’ population.

But that time is coming to an end. From the inspiring #RickyReunincia movement that led to the resignation of Puerto Rico’s corrupt governor to our continued calls for justice at the FCC, Puerto Ricans are speaking up loudly for our rights.

Now it’s your turn: Help make sure people in power are listening.

Thanks for all that you do,

Joseph, Nilda, Jessy and the rest of the Free Press Action team
freepress.net

P.S. Rep. Frank Pallone just cited Free Press’ work¹ while asking the GAO to investigate why communications infrastructure collapsed in Puerto Rico following Hurricanes Irma and Maria. This is a major victory — and only the beginning! Help keep the pressure up on Congress — sign the petition demanding justice for Puerto Rico.

1. “Free Press Reports and FOIA Documents Expose Trump FCC’s Neglect Toward Puerto Rico,” Free Press, May 14, 2019: https://act.freepress.net/go/35615?t=10&akid=13453%2E11784832%2EAoIZtG