Convicted takes place of honor at NYC Puerto Rican Day Parade

FOX NEWS - A Puerto Rican nationalist who served 35 years in prison for his ties to the FALN terror group stepped off at the head of New York City's Puerto Rican Day Parade Sunday, with a top city official by his side.

Oscar Lopez Rivera drew cheers and boos as he stood on the first float of the parade, which moved up Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.

Organizers had offered to honor Lopez Rivera with the parade's "National Freedom Award," but he declined after a backlash that saw sponsors, including AT&T and Jet Blue, and politicians like New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo pull out.

"I feel good about being here," Lopez Rivera told the New York Post as he pounded his chest and chanting "Que viva Puerto Rico!" "This parade is for the Puerto Rican public."

New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito joined Lopez Rivera's float approximately halfway along the parade route.

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