Church Offensive

The Church Offensive^[1] was a building occupation organized by the New York Young Lords in East Harlem, New York City. During the Church Offensive, the Young Lords occupied the First Spanish United Methodist Church (FSUMC) for 11 days, from December 28, 1969, to January 7, 1970, in protest of the church's refusal to host the Young Lords' free breakfast program. During the occupation, the Young Lords implemented various community service programs, including free breakfasts and health clinics, "liberation school" classes, and dinners for Puerto Rican women. Despite a court order to vacate the church, the Young Lords remained, arguing they had not disrupted services and were challenging the church's inaction. As a result, they were held in contempt of court. The occupation ended when police forcibly entered the church, peacefully arresting 105 Young Lords members and supporters.

The Young Lords continued to pressure the FSUMC to support their breakfast program, but their requests were denied. Despite this, due to media coverage and endorsements from prominent figures, the Church Offensive led to an increase in community support and membership for the Young Lords. Some historians argue that the Church Offensive revitalized the Puerto Rican independence movement in New York and fostered discussions about gender roles within the growing Young Lords organization. Others claim that the Church Offensive represented a challenge to the "social imaginary" by questioning prevailing western concepts of peoplehood and disrupting the perceived link between coloniality and modernity.