New York – Today, Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and 35 elected officials released a letter to the National Puerto Rican Day Parade Board commending them for their resolve and support of Puerto Rican nationalist Oscar López Rivera. López Rivera is one of dozens of individuals being honored at the 60th Annual Puerto Rican Day Parade. The Puerto Rican Day Parade has been a landmark event for decades, acting as a symbol of the meaningful role the Puerto Rican community has played in New York City history.
Full text of the letter below:
Dear National Puerto Rican Day Parade Board:
We commend you for recognizing that Oscar López Rivera represents the voice, tenacity and resolve of Puerto Rico and its people. As countless families continue to struggle in Puerto Rico’s current fiscal crisis, Oscar is a reminder of the hope that has always anchored the Island — and that’s why we fully stand behind your efforts to honor him during this year’s 60th National Puerto Rican Day parade. Oscar’s presence will lift people’s spirits and bring attention to the challenges that must be immediately addressed on the Island.
As you know, June 11th is a day to come together as a community, and we are highly disappointed that one of the parade’s main sponsors has backed out of supporting this longstanding tradition, which as its primary purpose, has celebrated the advances and contributions of the Puerto Rican community. We march to honor our history and uplift our people – a message all of the parade’s sponsors should take to heart.
We stand in solidarity with Oscar and express our full support for the Board’s decision to recognize and uplift the legacy of Oscar López Rivera.
Sincerely,
NYC Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito
NYS Senator Marisol Alcantara
NYS Senator Gustavo Rivera
NYS Assembly Member Marcos Crespo
NYS Assembly Member José Rivera
NYC Council Member Inez Barron
NYC Council Member Fernando Cabrera
NYC Council Member Margaret Chin
NYC Council Member Costa Constantinides
NYC Council Member Laurie Cumbo
NYC Council Member Daniel Dromm
NYC Council Member Rafael Espinal
NYC Council Member Julissa Ferreras-Copeland
NYC Council Member Vanessa Gibson
NYC Council Member Ben Kallos
NYC Council Member Andrew King
NYC Council Member Peter Koo
NYC Council Member Brad Lander
NYC Council Member Stephen Levin
NYC Council Member Mark Levine
NYC Council Member Alan Maisel
NYC Council Member Carlos Menchaca
NYC Council Member Rosie Mendez
NYC Council Member I. Daneek Miller
NYC Council Member Annabel Palma
NYC Council Member Bill Perkins
NYC Council Member Antonio Reynoso
NYC Council Member Donovan Richards
NYC Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez
NYC Council Member Helen Rosenthal
NYC Council Member Rafael Salamanca
NYC Council Member Ritchie Torres
NYC Council Member Jumaane Williams
NYC Council Member Corey Johnson
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