Ivan Garcia Chosen As Parade Youth Grand Marshal

OAKLAND, CA — Native Oaklander and youth activist Ivan Garcia will be honored as the Youth Grand Marshal during the ninth annual Oakland Pride parade.

Garcia was chosen as the Youth Grand Marshal for his work throughout the community, especially in his efforts to ensure that all young people throughout Oakland and around the nation and the world feel proud and comfortable with who they are, organizers said.

"I am beyond thankful for my community to have chosen me to be their Youth Grand Marshal for this year's Oakland Pride parade," Garcia said in a statement.

Garcia, who's a sophomore at Head-Royce School in Oakland, said, "This title is one that comes with great appreciation attached to it, especially for the Oakland community as they have instilled so much trust and
faith in me."

Garcia said, "There was a time where I did not feel comfortable with who I was, a time where I would critically criticize every decision I made. For that reason, we need to make sure that everyone in our community feels uplifted and empowered, especially those who are most often marginalized in our society."

The parade will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday at Broadway and 14th Street and finish at Broadway and 20th Street.

— Bay City News; Image via Shutterstock

Also See:

• List Of All ‘Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives’ Restaurants In Northern California
• 100-Year-Old Crime Victim Calls Cops, Makes New Friends
• The 100 Best Places To Live In California Ranked 2018
• Please Don't Help My Kids