Former political prisoner Oscar López Rivera urged Puerto Ricans not to sponsor any products or services from companies that have withdrawn their support to the New York Puerto Rican Day Parade because of the homage that will be paid to him. He even suggested that the responsibility for this controversy lies with the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), which was never able to prove any of its accusations against the Puerto Rican political prisoners.

‘I believe there are certain factors involved. There’s the FBI, for example. They could never do anything with us, because for all of us who were imprisoned for many years, they don’t have the tiniest bit of evidence that we did what they say we did… I imagine that maybe they’re involved in this, because last December, 32 FBI agents sent a letter to (Barack) Obama telling him not to release me,’ López Rivera said.

López Rivera recalled that the FBI has held a historical struggle against the Puerto Rican pro-independence sectors.

‘(The FBI) hates the pro-independence movement. They have always been willing to destroy the Puerto Rican pro-independence movement. They’re behind this,’ he insisted. Previously, former prisoners like Lolita Lebrón havebeen honored in the NY Puerto Rican Day Parade, and there has never been a controversy like this year.

‘I believe in boycotts. We would need to use our power as consumers. A boycott would be perfect, because corporations cannot tell us what to do,’ López Rivera explained in an interview in Radio Isla.

He also urged Puerto Ricans to use this power as a response against AT<><><><><><><><><><><>&T, JetBlue, Goya, and the Yankees team, among others. These organizations opted out of the event after learning that the Puerto Rican Parade would be dedicated to the former political prisoner, who has been labeled a ‘terrorist’./p

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‘No Puerto Rican should submit to the wishes of a corporation. Especially Puerto Ricans who love our country,’ López Rivera insisted./p

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Nonetheless, he assured he respects the decisions made by others, including the board of directors that decided to pay him homage and has kept steadfast in their determination, in spite of the withdrawal from long-time sponsors. This is why he has not reconsidered his participation./p

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‘That board (of the Puerto Rican Parade) has the right to choose whomever they want, and they chose me this year, and I am extremely grateful. That decision deserves to be respected,’ he concluded./p

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He also congratulated the mayor of New York for his decision to stand firm against the pressure exerted by companies and other sectors, and he added that everyone has the right to decide whether they will attend the parade or not. However, he seized the opportunity to invite all Puerto Ricans, including those not residing in New York, to attend the parade if they have the chance./p

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‘I believe Goya, JetBlue, the Yankees, and Daily News are entitled to do whatever they want. We Puerto Ricans have the right to do whatever we want,’ López Rivera reiterated./p