>
Article snippet: The list of those boycotting the Puerto Rican Day Parade, over a decision by parade organizers to honor a Puerto Rican nationalist linked to terrorist acts, grew on Tuesday, with two more prominent defections. AT&T announced that it was withdrawing its sponsorship of the parade, and Coca-Cola said that it was redirecting its support to a scholarship program associated with the event. The Yankees, JetBlue and Goya Foods had previously said that they were cutting ties with the parade or reducing their participation. But the swell of opposition to honoring the nationalist militant, Oscar López Rivera, does not include Mayor Bill de Blasio. “I believe this parade is a very, very important part of the life of our city,” Mr. de Blasio said Tuesday during a news conference in the Bronx, confirming that he planned to march. His comments came after he answered a series of questions about the terrorist bombing in Manchester, England, the previous night, which targeted young concertgoers and killed 22 people. “The parade committee made a choice this year on someone to honor,” Mr. de Blasio said. “That does not change the basic nature of the parade. Whether you agree with that choice or not, it’s still the Puerto Rican parade and my point is, I will be there to honor the Puerto Rican people. I intend on marching. It’s as simple as that.” Mr. López Rivera was a member of a group called the Armed Forces of National Liberation, known by its initials in Spanish, F.A.L.N. He ... Link to the full article to read more