March 30, 2010
Media Contact: Jim Munoz, Jr. 602-738-6886 
Photography by: www.PhotosByJoseMunoz.com

PHOENIX, Arizona (March 30, 2010) – More than 1,000 residents were on hand at the Riverside School District’s “Celebrating Community and Diversity” parade and festival in southwest Phoenix on Saturday, March 27, 2010. The parade and festival were in honor of the life and legacy of Cesar E. Chavez, the beloved labor and civil rights leader who led much of his social justice movement in the Arizona farmland.

The event, co-sponsored by the Riverside School District and the Cesar E. Chavez Foundation, was the first time the new community, located along the northern bank of the Salt River, held any type of public event to honor the civil rights leader. 

“The Riverside School District used to be nothing but farms,” explained Silverio Garcia, one of the event’s organizers and community relations liaison for the district. “We honor the legacy of Cesar Chavez because we value the history of the school district.”

The rapidly growing Hispanic demographic, along with new school administrators with an eye on the community are what drives the Riverside School District to host these types of events. This is the second community festival of the school year, and more are planned for the fall.

“We want to be in sync with our parents and our community,” said Garcia, who added, “with no city parks or community centers, the Riverside schools are all our community has to rely on for many of their needs, including the need for community events and gathering points.”

The Riverside School District office is located on 51st Avenue and Buckeye. The Cesar Chavez Festival was held at Kings Ridge Preparatory Academy (67th Avenue and Lower Buckeye). 

Groups who participated in the parade include: Kings Ridge students, Civil Rights Center, Arizona Hispanic Community Forum, Ganado School Pow Wow Dancers (Ganado, AZ), Bernard Black School Dancing Choir (Roosevelt School District #66, Phoenix).

Live Performances by: Ganado School Pow Wow Club, Bernard Black School Dancing Choir

Presentations by: Cathy Murphy, photographer for Cesar Chavez; Alejandro Chavez, grandson of Cesar Chavez; and Bill Padilla former director of migrant education for the Arizona Department of Education.

About Riverside Elementary School District No. 2

RESD #2 is one of the oldest school districts in Phoenix. The primary school, Riverside Traditional School, serves grades kindergarten through fourth grade. The junior high, Kings Ridge Preparatory, serves grades five through eight. For more information about Riverside Elementary School District, please visit http://www.resdonline.org .