In a groundbreaking legal decision, the Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church, a historic Black church situated in Washington D.C., has been awarded control over the Proud Boys' trademark. This follows a default on a substantial $2.8 million judgment against the far-right group. The D.C. Superior Court Judge’s ruling not only grants the church the rights to the Proud Boys' trademark but also prevents the group’s members from selling merchandise bearing the name or symbols without the church's explicit consent. Additionally, the church now has the legal authority to pursue any financial gains derived from such sales.
This legal confrontation originated from a lawsuit filed by the church, aimed at seeking reparations for damages incurred when members of the Proud Boys vandalized the church during a pro-Trump rally in December 2020. During these events, Black Lives Matter banners were torn down and set aflame at multiple churches, including the Metropolitan African Methodist. The rally was marred by violent altercations between opposing protesters, which led to several arrests that night.
Enrique Tarrio, who was then leading the Proud Boys, admitted his involvement in the burnings and subsequently received a sentence of over five months behind bars for these and other charges. Notably, Tarrio later faced a 22-year federal prison sentence for orchestrating the January 6, 2021 riot at the Capitol.
Despite the gravity of these actions, Tarrio and his associates have vocalized dissatisfaction with the judicial process. On social media platform X, Tarrio lamented the decision, asserting due process was denied to him and other defendants, inhibiting them from mounting a proper defense. He even whimsically suggested renaming the Proud Boys to “African Methodist Episcopal Boys” and solicited ideas for a new name.
Records from the case indicate that the lawsuit was served at the federal prison where Tarrio was incarcerated, as well as at additional addresses linked to him and another member. The actions of December 12, 2020, described in the lawsuit, were classified as intentional acts of terror aimed at intimidating church members.
The church was awarded a default judgment in June 2023. However, after receiving no payments or responses from the Proud Boys or their representatives, church lawyers filed a motion in December to secure rights over the trademark. This legal maneuver was met with silence from the opposing party, leading to the recent successful ruling in the church’s favor.
While the attorney representing Metropolitan African Methodist in the civil proceedings did not provide remarks, Nayib Hassan, representing Tarrio, also refrained from commenting on the outcome.
This legal victory marks a significant moment for civil rights and religious institutions facing intimidation, setting a precedent that emphasizes accountability for acts aimed at inciting fear and violence. As the church moves forward with their newfound trademark authority, the broader implications of this case will likely resonate across similar situations nationwide.