NEW YORK - Amid all of the controversy over the Puerto Rican Day Parade, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. on Friday says he is still in.
Parade organizers have stirred controversy over their decision to honor Puerto Rican nationalist Oscar Lopez Rivera.
He spent nearly four decades in prison for ties to a group behind more than 100 bombings around the country.
Despite this, Diaz says the parade is about all Puerto Ricans, not just Rivera.
He says he served his time and was legally released earlier this year.
Several parade sponsors have dropped out because of Rivera, including AT&T, Coca Cola, and Goya Foods. In a statement, Diaz called their decisions "incredibly disheartening."
"This parade is not about any particular individual, but the pride—orgullo—of the Puerto Rican people. To remove financial resources that foster this celebration sends an awful signal to a loyal customer base. Are we not wanted?" Diaz said.
The National Latino Officers Association has also withdrawn, saying it will take part in Brooklyn's Puerto Rican Day Parade instead.
The parade up Fifth Avenue takes place on June 11.