Los Angeles mourns the death of Father Richard Estrada, a fierce advocate for farmers, working people, and immigrant rights

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Father Richard Estrada, at a peaceful protest outside the ICE offices. His legacy will serve as a guide in these times of attacks on vulnerable communities. (Photo @jovenes_inc)

Catholic priest Richard Estrada, renowned for his staunch defense of the immigrant community, has died at the age of 83 in Los Angeles, the United Farm Workers (UFW) announced Tuesday. The priest, who became one of the most recognizable faces of activism in California, mourned the death of the priest.

Estrada died on Monday, March 31, from complications resulting from COVID-19. He had been hospitalized for nearly a month.

The UFW mourns the passing of our dear friend and constant champion, Father Richard Estrada. He passed away on Cesar Chavez Day, March 31.
Father Estrada was a fierce advocate for farm workers, working people, and immigrant rights. He spent decades supporting La Causa.

For decades, Estrada opened the doors of the Olvera Plaza Church to give a voice to undocumented immigrants seeking refuge, defying immigration authorities, who have their offices and a detention center just a few meters from the church.

He was a key figure and protagonist of the Great March of Los Angeles in 2006, which brought together more than a million people who demonstrated in favor of immigration reform. The priest was also a leader of the sanctuary movement and spoke out in defense of Central American refugees who sought refuge in the 1980s.

He opened Jovenes Inc. in 1989, always striving to help homeless youth, seeking to provide them with housing. (Photo: @jovenes_inc)

Born in Los Angeles, Estrada was proud of his Mexican roots. His father was originally from Durango, Mexico, who immigrated to the United States in search of a better future. He was fluent in Spanish.

By the time he was ordained in 1978, he was already well-known to figures such as union leader César Chávez, who attended the ceremony.

Father Alejandro Solalinde, director of the Albergue de Hermanos Migrantes del Camino, said on his X account that with Estrada’s death, “a consistent priest, a tireless activist, and a great friend have been lost.”

He opened Jovenes Inc. in 1989, always striving to help homeless youth, seeking to provide them with housing.

Supervisor Hilda Solis said Estrada’s legacy “will continue to inspire all who had the privilege of knowing him.”

For Raquel Roman, executive director of Proyecto Pastoral, seeing Estrada in action as a champion of immigrant rights “lit the fire” inside her to dedicate her life to activism in her community. She accompanied Estrada on several trips to the U.S.-Mexico border to provide water to migrants crossing the desert, she told Boyle Heights Beat.

Hilda Solis, the L.A. County Supervisor of District 1, wrote in a social media post Tuesday that she was heartbroken by Estrada’s passing and said Estrada’s legacy “will continue to inspire all who had the privilege of knowing him.”

The United Farm Workers (UFW) mourns the passing of our dear friend and loyal supporter, Father Richard Estrada. He passed away on March 31st, César Chávez Day.

Father Estrada was a fierce advocate for farm workers, the working class, and immigrant rights. He dedicated decades to supporting The Cause.