The mayor of new York bill de Blasio declined to comment on whether it supports the decision of the organizers of the parade to the Puerto Rican day to spend in honor of the former terrorist leader Oscar Rivera.
A week ago, de Blasio confirmed that he will participate in the parade on June 11. Some urged him to abandon this decision, for example, Republican Nicole Malliotakis, a potential contender for the position of mayor in the election race in 2018. «I think this parade is a very important part of life in our city,» said de Blasio.
Mayor won’t say whether he supports Puerto Rican Day Parade org’i’s decision to honor FALN founder Oscar Lopez Rivera
— Mara Gay (@MaraGay) May 31, 2017
Oscar lópez Rivera is the leader of the Armed forces of national liberation (FALN) of Puerto Rico. FALN has claimed responsibility for more than 100 bombings across the country in the 1970-ies and 80-ies, including the blast victims in 1975 in the historic Fraunces Tavern in new York.
Rivera pleaded not guilty directly in the explosions, but he was sentenced to 55 years in prison after a 35-year sentence pardoned by President Barack Obama last year.
The Governor of the state of new York Andrew Cuomo refused to participate in the parade, but the specific reasons not announced. He only said that to hold a parade in honor of Rivera – so give it a political coloration, and it is not the best option.
The parade has already lost major sponsors due to the decision to honor Rivera. From support refused Goya Foods, New York Yankees, AT & T, Coca Cola, Jet Blue, Telemundo, Univision, NBC4 New York, WNJU, WADO, WXTV, The New York Daily News, the FDNY and Department police (NYPD).
