Father Luis Olivares
A Story in Photographs
The Church of Our Lady Queen of Angels, also known as La Placita, became actively involved in the Sanctuary Movement during the 1980s, under the leadership of Father Luis Olivares. This movement aimed to provide refuge to Central American refugees fleeing civil wars and human rights abuses, particularly from El Salvador and Guatemala.
In December 1985, the church publicly declared its support for the Sanctuary Movement. The Los Angeles Times reported Father Olivares announced that the church had been functioning as an "unpublic sanctuary" for some time, offering assistance to Central American families. The church provided counseling services and helped place refugee families in safe locations, even if they were not physically housed within the church building itself. Local TV news and newspapers documented this movement, including a refugee and news photographer for the Associated Press from El Salvador--Joaquin Romero--who captured the solidarity of Los Angeles residents across all walks of life.
Joaquin Romero Collection
Photographer, Joaquin in Los Angeles, 2025. His story of survival and life in Los Angeles was well documented including in the Los Angeles Times article by Frank Sotomayor, July 25, 1983--Latinos: A diverse group tied by ethnicity.
Joaquin's story was covered by the Los Angeles Times and selected for its book, Southern California's Latino Community.
The Times went on to win the 1983 Pulitzer Prize for public service.
Protests
Father Luis Olivares is joined by Salvadoran activist Rosanna Perez, and celebrity activists Martin Sheen and Jackson Browne at the federal building. A headline by Patt Morrison of the Los Angeles Times (Jan. 18, 1990) reads, Protesters Hold Die-In, Say ‘Have a Nice Day’ : El Salvador: Morning routine at Federal Building stresses the civil in disobedience.
Protests
Father Luis Olivares speaks at a demonstration on the footsteps of the Los Angeles federal building.
Protests
Demonstrators getting arrested one-by-one at the Los Angeles federal building in 1990.
Rally
Father Olivares stands on the Levitt Pavilion MacArthur Park stage celebrating Peace Accords in 1992. An LA Times article by Hector Tobar (Jan. 20, 1992) titled, Remembering the Fallen : El Salvador: Celebration of peace accord is tinged with memories of people who died during country’s civil war, documents the excitement of the day and the ailing Father Luis Olivares.
