Historic Black Church Awarded Proud Boys Trademark

A D.C. Superior Court Judge has awarded the Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church all interests in Proud Boys International’s trademarked name.

The order comes after the extremist group vandalized church property in 2020 by destroying a Black Lives Matter sign that was in the front of the church. The incident occurred during a period of heightened racial tensions and protests in the wake of George Floyd’s murder.  Following the destruction of the sign, the group faced widespread backlash with many viewing the act as an assault on racial justice movements. In 2023, the church was awarded a $2.8 million judgement in damages, which it has now asked the courts to enforce.

“For the first time in our nation’s history, a Black institution owns property of a white supremacist group,” said Reverend William H. Lamar IV in a statement on the church’s website. “In these unprecedented times, we are called to continue the work of Jesus in the church, the community and the world.” Lamar also called for people “to stand with us against hate” by making a financial contribution to the church, according to NPR.

The Proud Boys were founded in 2016 by Gavin McInnes and is a far-right, nationalist group known for its extremist views on masculinity and opposition to political correctness. The group rose to prominence during the 2016 U.S. presidential election, aligning itself with President Donald Trump’s rhetoric.

The Proud Boys have also been linked to numerous violent incidents, including clashes with left-wing activists at rallies and protests. Notably, members played a significant role in the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot, where they stormed the U.S. Capitol building in an attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Following the riot, several Proud Boy members were arrested and charged for their involvement, but later pardoned by Trump after his inauguration this year.