For opposing the privatization of the administration of electricity generation on the island, diaspora groups have criticized the Board of Directors of the National Puerto Rican Day Parade, which takes place in New York, decided to include the Vice President of Affairs among its honorees. Government of Genera PR, Iván Báez.
“The Route of Truth recommends that such a distinction be granted to the men and women who have been displaced from their service for more than 80 years working for the Electric Power Authority (AEE) and energizing our Island,” he indicated, for his Karlexy Rosario, a member of La Ruta who identified herself, in a press release, as a “displaced worker in Puerto Rico.”
Unionist David Galarza, from the organization “Puerto Rico is not for sale” indicated that they will carry out a picket the night of the gala, on June 9, if the Board of Directors does not eliminate the representative of Genera PR from the list of honorees, company that should assume the administration of electricity generation next month.
The Parade Board, however, affirmed that the recognition of Báez is not related to his current position at Genera PR.
“The Board made the decision to honor Iván Báez for his personal character of integrity, the many good works he has done, and his commitment to the community. He has done great good for our community, and while he was at Walmart, he was a huge contributor to our scholarship program. A few months ago he took a position at Genera PR, but this recognition focuses solely on Iván and his work as a philanthropist and supporter of our community, both in Puerto Rico and in the United States, ”the entity indicated.
New York’s 66th National Puerto Rican Day Parade is scheduled for June 11, one day after the Chicago Parade.
This year, the Parade is dedicated to the municipality of Aguadilla, represented at the event by its mayor, Julio Roldán Concepción, and the legendary composer Rafael Hernández.
Other honorees will be Jacobo Morales, Silverio Pérez, Chucho Avellanet, Ángel “Cucco” Peña, Tere Marichal, Nilda Comas, Ana Teresa Toro and Ariel Orama López.
The Parade will include posthumous recognition of deceased Puerto Ricans such as Marisol Malaret, Antonio Pantoja, Tito Puente and Tito Rodríguez.
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