Proud Boys’ trademark awarded to Metropolitan AME Church after vandalism ruling

The Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C., has been granted ownership of the Proud Boys’ trademark following a court ruling. The decision, issued on Feb. 3 by Judge Tanya M. Jones Bosier of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, gives the church a lien on the trademark and the authority to prevent the Proud Boys from using the name or its associated symbol without approval.

The ruling stems from an incident on Dec. 12, 2020, when members of the right-wing group attended a “stop the steal” event in Washington, D.C., and subsequently vandalized the Metropolitan AME Church. Court documents state that the Proud Boys climbed over a fence to enter the church property, where they destroyed a “Black Lives Matters” sign. The court ordered the group to pay the church $2.8 million, which they have failed to settle.

Rev. William H. Lamar IV, pastor of the Metropolitan AME Church, expressed the significance of the ruling, stating, “This is our time to stand up, to be very clear to the Proud Boys and their ilk that we came here fighting, that we have never ever capitulated to the violent whims of white supremacist groups.” He emphasized that the church and its community were not intimidated by the group’s actions.

The Metropolitan AME Church, founded in 1838, has a long history of hosting prominent figures such as Frederick Douglass and Eleanor Roosevelt. With the trademark ownership, the church can now collect funds from sales of Proud Boys merchandise and membership dues. Additionally, the church can block the group from using the trademark, which may hinder their ability to sell merchandise and recruit new members.

The court’s decision reflects a broader effort to hold groups accountable for their actions and to ensure that the fruits of their activities benefit those who have been wronged. As the Metropolitan AME Church moves forward with this new responsibility, it continues to uphold its mission of justice and community service. This case serves as a reminder of the importance of standing firm against injustice, as Micah 6:8 reminds us to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.

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