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Firefighters' union boycotts Puerto Rican Parade for honoring murderous bomber
The Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York City began in 1958 featuring floats sponsored by businesses, singing, dancing and marching. Controversy has struck this year as sponsors pull out over a controversial figure being honored at the parade. (Photo by Allison Joyce/Getty Images)

Firefighters' union boycotts Puerto Rican Parade for honoring murderous bomber

The union for New York firefighters is boycotting the Puerto Rican parade for honoring Oscar López Rivera, who is considered to be a freedom-fighter by some, but who fought for Puerto Rico's independence by attacking and killing Americans. And the firefighters aren't the only ones opting out.

Jake Lemonda, President of the FDNY officers Union, and the Executive Board of the Uniformed Fire Officers Association, released a statement explaining the action.

“Oscar Lopez Rivera’s actions led to the death and serious injury of innocent civilians and Police Officers. He is a convicted felon, plain and simple, and one who has not apologized or repented for his cowardly attacks,” he said. “It is also important to note that he has not been pardoned for his crimes; he merely had his sentence shortened. His conviction stands and the idea of honoring someone such as he should be rejected by all.”

Former President Obama shortened Rivera's sentence from 55 years to 35 years, which he was serving for a conviction involving 70 bombings from 1975 to 1983. Rivera was the leader of FALN, which stands for Fuerzas Armadas de Liberación Nacional, or “Armed Forces of National Liberation." The terrorist group took credit for bombing that killed give people and injured many more.

Other sponsors have bowed out of the parade, including GOYA foods, the Yankees baseball organization, the NYPD Hispanic Association, and the airline JetBlue. New York City Police Commissioner James O’Neill also said he would refuse to participate in the parade over the Rivera issue.

“I can’t support a man who was the co-founder of an organization that engaged in over 120 bombings, six people killed and seriously injured police officers,” he said. “I usually do march in most of the parades with the fraternal organizations, but I am not going to be marching this year . . . I am not going to march.”

Other sponsors have not addressed the issue, including AT&T, Coca-Cola, CUNY, the Daily News and the United Federation of Teachers.

The Puerto Rican parade is scheduled for June 11th.

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