Hundreds of people gathered in downtown Orlando on Saturday, April 29 to celebrate boricua culture and music at the Florida Puerto Rican Parade and Festival. Crowds danced and sang to lyric made famous by Taino in 1995, "Yo soy Boricua, pa'que tu lo sepas!" The march this year was dedicated to Puerto Ricans in public service, and honored local officials like Orlando City Commissioner Tony Ortiz and U.S. Rep. Darren Soto. The event's organizers called it "one of the most important events for Puerto Ricans in Florida."
"We will be marching in the streets of downtown Orlando to show we are united amidst the fiscal crisis and all the troubles affecting our beloved island," said Ralph Morales, current president of the non-profit organization Florida Puerto Rican Parade, in a statement.
