Oscar Lopez Rivera won’t be honored at the Puerto Rican Day Parade later this month after weeks of controversy.
Mayor Bill de Blasio made the announcement in a statement last night, saying Rivera has agreed to step aside from any formal role in the parade. However, he will still march.
“The parade has always been about Puerto Rico and Puerto Ricans, not any one participant. It is a celebration of a culture and community at the center of what makes New York City great. Unfortunately, the parade and the plight of Puerto Rico have been overshadowed by needless controversy,” de Blasio said.
Several sponsors had pulled out of the parade because of Lopez Rivera’s participation, including the Yankees, Goya Foods and Univision. Officials such as Police Commissioner James O’Neill and Governor Andrew Cuomo also announced they wouldn’t march.
Lopez Rivera was a leader of the FALN group which carried out deadly bombings in New York City. He spent time in prison but had his sentence commuted by former President Barack Obama. Supporters of Lopez Rivera argue that he wasn’t involved in any violence.
The Puerto Rican Day Parade is scheduled for Sunday, June 11th.
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