Every New Yorker is a boricua for the annual Puerto Rican Day Parade, and the UFT was well-represented on June 8. Under new management and blessed by a beautiful June sun, the 57th version of the annual parade made its way up Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue to the sounds of horns and congas, cheered on by some 2 million onlookers. Marchers wore T-shirts proclaiming their devotion to the island: “Yo Soy Boricua.” They were led by grand marshal and City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, the first Puerto Rican elected to citywide office, and a guayabera-wearing Mayor Bill de Blasio. Manhattan Borough Representative Evelyn DeJesus, herself of Puerto Rican descent, rallied the UFT contingent from a large float as members handed out Puerto Rican flags and joined in the street dancing. This year, participants said, the parade seemed renewed after charges of financial mismanagement and excessive commercialization marred last year’s celebration. An eight-month investigation led to a purge of the former board, and a new board oversaw this year’s parade. above: The UFT float, with DeJesus standing in the center, heads down Fifth Avenue. far left: Mayor de Blasio, with fellow dignitaries including City Council Speaker Mark-Viverito (center, right), one of the grand marshals, lead off the parade. left: Thomas Rosa, a teacher and dean of students at PS 751 in Manhattan, marches alongside the UFT float.

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