LEO RIVERA MEMORIAL 2010

LEO RIVERA

MEMORIAL 2010

SIX YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF HIS PASSING

March 5th 1964 - June 28th 2004

PRESENCE CAR CLUB

Article: C.A.

Photos: Ismael Garcia

A memorial service for El Paso lowrider trail blazer Leo Rivera was held this July 25, 2010, at the Evergreen East Cemetery in El Paso, Texas. It was preceded by a lowrider and vintage car gathering at the V F W Tigua Post ballroom and parking lot where family and friends gathered for a celebration in memory of one whom many in the lowrider community consider a true Lowrider Legacy.

Leo Rivera has been the subject of numerous memorials and tributes hosted by his son Leo Jr. and members of Presence car club. Rivera is remembered for his efforts in preventing police harassment of lowriders during the 1990's. Rivera is also remembered for continuously sponsoring car shows that directly benefited the El Paso community. These unconditional gestures helped police and some citizens of El Paso change their once negative views about lowriders. Today, many lowriders enjoy their weekends without police interference, thanks to Leo Rivera and the El Paso Lowrider Association who succeeded in exposing to police officials, the positive qualities of El Paso's peaceful lowrider community.

Illegal Cruising Zones

During the late 1980's and early 1990’s the city of El Paso experienced one of the worse gang banging epidemics in the entire state of Texas. Youth gangs throughout El Paso were in all-out war with each other and dozens of teens and innocent children were either injured or killed as a result of senseless drive-by shootings. Police used heavy-handed tactics in efforts of stopping rampant gang violence. A zero tolerance city ordinance was passed, prohibiting gangs to congregate on the streets, public parking lots or city parks. Unfortunately police often mistook car clubs as gangs and began imposing strict No-Cruising zone laws.

Presence Car Club

It was common for members of Presence car club and other clubs to experience demeaning police harassment while cruising their lowriders in central and lower valley El Paso during those times.
These shake downs were often justified by police and most civilians who were doing their best to curve El Paso's dangerous gang problem. Police harassment of lowrider clubs reached an ultimate high in 1992 when gang members shot and killed a rival at Ascarate Park, a popular hangout for dozens of El Paso lowrider and mini-truck clubs. Authorities reacted by prohibiting the consumption of alcohol beverages at Ascarate Park.

Presence and other clubs were left with no other choice but to continue their Sunday lowriding cruising ritual in shopping center parking lots throughout El Paso’s lower valley and east side. Police began raiding these parking lot congregations and ticketing lowrider drivers with loitering citations.
It was common to see lowriders pulled over by police with all occupants stretched face down on the curve. This angered Leo Rivera, Presence and other car clubs of El Paso who were tired of police harassment. Reform begins with brave leaders bold enough to confront the tormenter. Leo Rivera and the El Paso Lowrider Association were somehow able to earn the respect and cooperation of the El Paso Police Department.

El Paso Lowrider Association

Leo Rivera helped form the El Paso Lowrider Association in 1996. The Lowrider Association, which disbanded soon after Rivera’s death in 2004, consisted of members of different El Paso car clubs.
Leo Rivera and members of the El Paso Lowrider Association attended a hearing with the El Paso Police Advisory Board in early 2000 to express concerns regarding police harassment against lowriders. Police officials were surprised by Rivera’s educated approach. He did not fit the violent lowrider stereotype, nor did members of other established El Paso car clubs. Police soon realized that most, if not all lowrider clubs of El Paso were working class individuals and contributors to society.

2nd Safest City

Today El Paso is now ranked the second safest major city in the entire United States. Lowriders are now able to cruise in relative harmony without suffering the consequences that comes with the violent crimes of ignorant street gangs. El Paso's lowrider community is thriving and car clubs from the city appear to be setting a perfect example for youths who dream of one day owning an immaculate low-low with a notable car club plaque on its rear window.

Leo Rivera Jr.

Leo Rivera’s spirit of lowriding lives on through his son Leopoldo Rivera Jr. who shares his father's classy taste of traditional American luxury lowriders . Leo Jr. is now the proud owner of one of El Paso’s most infamous lowriders, the Pegasus, his father's 1979 Lincoln Mark 5. May the memory of Leo Rivera and his most cherished Pegasus lowrider live on through his son Leo Jr.

Note

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