You should really look at saint Pauls in London has done a very good job of dealing with occupy London .please reconsider . .

HARRY on December 4, 2011

We understand. Jesus' commitment to hosting arts exhibits is well documented, and it's not as if he ever told his followers to give what they had to the poor.

Tom Head on December 4, 2011

I applaud Trinity's difficult, and I'm sure prayerful, decision.

Bill Henlsey on December 4, 2011

I find the OWS hunger strike against Trinity insulting to the history and true meaning of a hunger strike--which is to protest a grave injustice. Where's the injustice here? Trinity hasn't taken something away from OWS. Striking to get something that isn't yours is equivalent to a toddler threatening to hold his breath until he can watch TV.

Brad on December 4, 2011

OPEN LETTER FROM THE OWS HUNGER STRIKERS TO TRINITY WALL STREET December 4, 2011 Dear Trinity Wall Street, Yesterday, we began a hunger strike at 12 p.m. on your vacant lot at Canal Street and Sixth Avenue. Today, 24 hours into our strike we were arrested on your property as we sat in peace. Upon release, we returned to Canal Street and Sixth Avenue to find three new hunger strikers had joined us. Now as six, the strike continues. We are striking to gain unfettered access to your site on Sixth Avenue and Canal Street until the proposed building begins on the premises. In the meantime, ask that you take the following three actions immediately: 1. Meet with a designated delegation from Occupy Wall Street to discuss a future, mutually beneficial use of this site 2. Allow a peaceful hunger strike to continue on your property without fear of harassment or arrest 3. Drop today's trespassing charges--and all past and future charges against us and other members of Occupy Wall Street incurred on this site Yesterday we were three. Today we are six. We appeal to the Episcopal Diocese’s sense of compassion and its respect for righteousness and peaceful protest. We are hopeful that Trinity will embody these ideals moving forward.

Amin Husain on December 4, 2011

Please watch this video: Civil Rights Elders at Liberty Plaza & Duarte Square http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNKiV8MNMbw

Julia Cooke on December 4, 2011

The arts are a powerful means of addressing the issues involved. Duarte Park could be a place where that could happen and is licensed to do so.

Theodore Feldmann on December 4, 2011

I feel the corporates are greedy and thankful to some of the sincere protestors. There are some idots in the group misusing and misguiding the entire revolution. I sincerely hope those people are identified and banned from such a nobel group sacrificing everything for the sake of others.

wall street protests sympathiser on December 5, 2011

You have an amazing opportunity here to share the Gospel through your actions. Please reconsider. This is incredibly important.

Stephen on December 5, 2011

Having watched Reverend Cooper's video address, I feel that he has failed to directly address many important issues at hand. From what I understand via media reports, hunger strikers were arrested on Dec 4 for trespassing, even though they remained outside the fenced in area surrounding the Church owned lot at Duarte Square. Can Reverend Cooper provide specific information related to his and Trinity Church's involvement with the NYPD related to these arrests? Specifically, since Trinity Church is the private property owner of the vacant lot at Duarte Square, has Trinity Church directed the NYPD to enforce its private property rights and arrest the hunger strikers on trespassing charges? Is the Church planning to pursue prosecution of the hunger strikers through the courts? I would suggest anyone interested in more information view the following videos (you need to copy and paste the links). Christopher Hedges addresses Occupy Wall Street on December 3, 2011 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJUKr8YJhOw OWS Hunger Strikers http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZaXyyG6g7Y

Matthew on December 5, 2011

Does anyone know if the LMCC has released a statement about this?

Dan Phiffer on December 5, 2011

Thank you for openly sharing your position. I applaud Trinity Church's efforts to be supportive and accessible to the whole community. I am very uncomfortable with the idea of a group of 3 (or of any size) presenting the church with "demands" for "unfettered access." I agree with Brad - Trinity Church hasn't taken anything away from OWS. Perhaps instead of demanding something from Trinity Church, you might consider contributing some of the time on your hands to participating in the church's tutoring program or volunteering at St. Margaret's House.

Mary on December 5, 2011

I love all that brocade you and the altar are wearing!!

Joe on December 5, 2011

It's unfortunate that Trinity Church values real estate over plight of the people and the precepts of Christ. You arrest Jesus also if he came into your midst. Unfortunately, Trinity is barren of Christian values and supports the laws of our present day Caesars, and would probably send the same type of corporate public relations form letter to his disciples.

Hank on December 5, 2011

Seems to me that Trinity Church has a wonderful opportunity here to practice a Jesus like radical hospitality. Why not invite OWS to set up a big tent in your lot?

Carlos Stouffer on December 5, 2011

Actually, the Big Tent idea is a good one. In Santa Fe, they have a "Meeting Tent" with Windows. Very Nice. Here in Madison, the city set the Occupy folks up on a large parking lot, and they have hoop tents. The police, firefighters, and city officials all have helped keep things legal and non-confrontational. There are ways to do these things...

Robert Maynord on December 5, 2011

Shame on you for having these brave protestors arrested. Who do you serve?

Niall Heffernan on December 6, 2011

Usually I'd need to read a corporate press release to find the kind of double-talk being spouted by this OWS fringe. Mutually beneficial use of the property? Wonderful opportunity? What's next? A win-win? Trinity Church is already extending hospitality to OWS and is doing thousands of things EVERY DAY to help the people. Just because it isn't doing what some in OWS have decided they want doesn't make Trinity barren of Christian values. Demanding what you want and pitching a fit if you don't get it seems more like the behavior of a spoiled, entitled CEO than the actions of those committed to positive social change. Change requires action, not a tent.

Amanda on December 6, 2011

Please do not give in to the demands of the OWS movement. Part of the problem with OWS is its sense that it has a right to be subsidized by others. Until it grows up it will not be a positive force in American life. Thank you for helping OWS by refusing to feed its entitlement ethos.

Ron Mock on December 6, 2011

Would opening the sanctuary be an appropriate compromise?

Tony Green on December 6, 2011

"Kindness is the essence of greatness and the fundamental characteristic of the noblest men and women I have known. Kindness is a passport that opens doors and fashions friends. It softens hearts and molds relationships that can last lifetimes" Joseph B. Wirthlin.

Gudrun Karina Arntsen on December 6, 2011

With all due respect, this sounds a great deal like the "Call to Unity"-- the letter sent by white Alabama clergy to Dr. Martin Luther King while he sat in a Birmingham jail. Is that really the example of Gospel discipleship we want to follow?

The Rev. Jane Schmoetzer on December 6, 2011

I find it interesting that Trinity is one of the biggest landowners in NYC. One of the buildings owned houses a CHASE bank. Apparently, Trinity Church is responsive primarily to the 1%. The great wealth you hold becomes a great hindrance to spiritual soundness. As Jesus said, :It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich (person) to enter the Kingdom of Heaven." (Matthew 19:24) Please refer to Matthew 25:35-37 for the mission of the Church.

Cherie Boeneman on December 6, 2011

Spring and the Art Exhibits are a long way off, why not, let them us the lot for the winter months.They can use whatever facilities members of the group currently use.

Father Al on December 6, 2011

I am concerned about the use of the word "our" in your current statement. It seems to me that the world is being offered a great opportunity for dialogue and rediscovery of the love God offers to all creation.

Kimberly Clark on December 6, 2011

Are you a church or a corporation. The group has proposals on how to ensure the space will not turn into a dangerous zone, especially since it is already fenced in. They are willing to sign documentation that would ensure they leave once you need the space(specifically dated even). The space you have at this location is not dangerous nor is it in use until ( by your words spring time). You have the ability to live up to the biblical words ou preach. Be a sanctuary, a refuge. If you truly support the movement, if you are genuinely a church, this space would be surrendered over temporarily to the movement. People over Profit!!!! Are you a church or are you a corporation?

Katherine Ramos on December 6, 2011

You should listen to the lecture by David Korten which is available on this website and then reconsider allowing OWS to use Duarte Square. I believe that you would then let them and help solve difficulties that may arise rather than using them as a reason to not use the square.

Carl Erickson on December 6, 2011

OWS...you now FAIL to inspire. You now FAIL to lead. You now FAIL to lead in peace. Your cursing, swearing and fighting have so frightened my child that I can NO LONGER volunteer. My child would cry about sleeping because of the NIGHTMARES!!! Even taking a nap!! This is what you have evolved into!!!! I ought to sue you on behave of my child! Would that "wake you up"? Your leadership says that "so many great things are going on". I say where? Where are these "great things"? Your behavior no longer inspires compassion and you now erode your support. You really think that occupying a park is going to help? If you were real movement you would be receiving invitations of support!! From all over NYC and the US, parks, places and doors should be opening to you....but that is no longer the case, is it! Unlike the Civil Rights Movement, which was a guiding light of compassion and peace...when people, and children, were being bombed, murdered, beaten and arrested, mind you...yet they wore the dignity of peace...the dignity of compassion and lived it!! You don't inspire....you're not leading...you are now a mess!! What are you doing?????

Anonymous on December 7, 2011

This is a defining movement for Trinity Church to support a non violent group with something that they have the means and ability to offer. What is the downside? Why not meet with them to have a dialogue about the use and concerns you might be having? They want to make this idea work well for everyone involved and have ideas to structure it in a way that will encourage it's use as a productive space to help move ideas and changes forward. Changes that affect us all. Why would you object to a group so willing to sacrifice and committed to non violence

Alison Udall on December 7, 2011

No....this is a defining moment for your organization to re-evaluate. Communication happens every day!!! What are you communicating? You can SAY all you want,,,,about how you are committed to non-violence,...your members mock it! Your actions mock it! What your organization is doing is alienating the very people that you seek help and assistance from! Trinity Church has done enough support...too much...and now like a spoiled child that wants ice cream and cake instead of diner...your members throw tantrums! Show the public something that will be of inspiration. What are you doing????

Anonymous on December 7, 2011

OWS - Interesting....Not one of you asks "How is the child?" Not one of you apologizes! Not one of you is appalled! Not one of you shows any concern!!! If you can't care about ONE child...how are you going to care about a COMMUNITY??? What are you doing???? I am done with you!!!

Anonymous on December 9, 2011

Had to stop listening after 3 minutes. Cooper's putting a load in the spin cycle! Charlotte's Place is demeaning to OWS. Trinity could have offered a kitchen. Cooper could have consented to speak with them. And what's with Cooper omitting the "CEO" tag on the open letter regarding Duarte Park? On Trinity's pages he's "Rector/CEO" and in my opinion you can't be both. Quit appeasing the 1 per cent - God is knocking at your door! Reclaim a shred of relevancy for The Episcopal Church - maybe so many of us won't be walking out the door.

Monika Fischer on December 9, 2011

Ladies and Gentlemen, John 8:7 "So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. " We should not judge Trinity's decision, because as Duarte Square is their property it is their decision how it is used simply because they do not support a protest to be completed in the manner deemed necessary by OWS. I have yet to see any other organization (church, or wealthy entertainer) offer their parcel's of land as much as Trinity. As Christians and Americans we should not judge others simply because they do not agree with what we deem as right.

Stephen Martin on December 15, 2011

December 16, 2011 Dear Rev. Dr. James Cooper, We are veterans of the Civil Rights, Women’s, Peace, Environmental, LGBTQ, Immigrant Justice, labor rights and other movements of the last 60 years. Many of us have been or continue to be leaders of religious congregations and organizations, so we are deeply understanding of the need to protect the spaces and buildings that generations of the faithful have transmitted to us. We are also deeply committed to using the share of God’s abundance that has been entrusted to us for the help and healing of those “least of these” – the poor, the humiliated, the hungry, the homeless, the dis-empowered – whom God has called us to protect. We have special understandings of both of those commitments because as leaders of the social-change movements of the 20th century we have been called to deploy resources for the sake of racial and social justice and the cause of peace. Today we see the Occupy movement as efforts by a new generation of (mostly young) people to move forward as we did toward fuller justice and democracy for the diverse peoples in our nation. We are concerned to hear that Occupy Wall Street has asked Trinity Church for use of the Lent-Space on 6th and Canal to gather, and has been refused. We are especially moved to hear that the Episcopal Cathedral of Boston has invited the Occupy movement there to gather in its space. We know that some question the need for Occupy to continue to occupy physical space but we have witnessed the impact of communal, inspirational, face-to-face contact in which people can be visible to the world and to one another. We have also been challenged to respond to the question from Occupy, Where can you go if you don’t own something? Does a public even exist if it has no space? And finally, like visionaries before them, many Occupiers have chosen to give up everything to invest in a future that does not exist except in their dreams and visions. In a world where the majority of our nation is oppressed by economic and racial inequality, experiencing isolation and dehumanization at every turn, the Occupy movement in its public presence has provided hope and purpose and a pressing challenge to us all. We urge you to reexamine the possibilities in the light of the importance of Occupy Wall Street as a spark of God’s “Burning Bush” in this moment of deep social crisis. We urge you to approve the use of this sacred space for a sacred purpose – the pursuit of justice in America. With blessings, Organizing Committee Council of Elders cc Vestry Members

Civil Rights Elders Letter on December 16, 2011