The Proud Boys, the far-right extremist group known for vigorously supporting Trump and committing acts of violence and vandalism to push its agenda, have officially lost control of their name – and in a striking twist of irony, ownership now belongs to a predominantly Black church the group once attacked.
The February 3rd ruling by D.C. Superior Court Judge Tanya M. Jones Bosier granted ownership of the Proud Boys name and logo to the Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C., and bars the group from profiting from its branding without the church’s approval.
The ruling also allows the church to seize any revenue the group generates from merchandise sales, including hats and T-shirts bearing the Proud Boys logo or name.
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The church filed the lawsuit to recoup damages from vandalism committed by the group’s members during a December 2020 pro-Trump “Stop the Steal” rally. Video footage showed them destroying AME’s property, tearing down and even burning Black Lives Matter banners.
Following the attack, Judge Neal Kravitz, an associate judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, ruled in August 2023 that Proud Boys International LLC must pay the church $2.8 million in damages.
But when the group refused to comply, Judge Bosier took decisive action – seizing their name and brand as restitution.
For Rev. William H. Lamar IV, the church’s pastor, the ruling is a triumph for resilience over fear and sets a powerful precedent for holding hate groups accountable for their actions.
“If they thought we would be afraid, they were wrong.“ the Reverend told CBS MoneyWatch Tuesday. “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 capitulated to the violent whims of white supremacist groups.”
In a lengthy statement posted to X (formerly Twitter), former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio—who pleaded guilty to the church attack and was later sentenced to 22 years in federal prison for orchestrating the January 6 insurrection before being pardoned by President Trump—denounced the ruling.
“As a follower of Jesus Christ, I see disturbing parallels between this church’s actions toward the individuals and families involved and the Pharaoh’s oppression of the Israelites in the story of Moses,” he wrote.
Tarrio also claimed the ruling was unjust, arguing that the far-right group’s leaders, many of whom are incarcerated, were unable to mount an effective defense.
“Furthermore, the presiding judge has denied due process to myself and the other defendants, preventing us from presenting a proper defense,” he continued. “We were subjected to unjust incarceration and mistreatment at the hands of our own government, leaving us no recourse.”
The former Afro-Cuban leader of the Proud Boys went further, calling for AME’s nonprofit status to be revoked and for Judge Bosier to be impeached.
“This organization, masquerading as a church, must be subjected to a thorough audit, and its non-profit status revoked immediately. The judge’s conduct in this case necessitates impeachment and investigation,” he wrote.
“Their actions are a betrayal of justice, reminiscent of Judas’s treachery. I hold in contempt any motions, judgments, and orders issued against me.”
Tarrio also mockingly suggested the group now be renamed the “African Methodist Episcopal Boys.“
My full quote to @nytimes
“As a follower of Jesus Christ, I see disturbing parallels between this church’s actions toward the individuals and families involved and the Pharaoh’s oppression of the Israelites in the story of Moses. This church has engaged in a campaign of… https://t.co/qtI75Us9r2
— Enrique Tarrio (@NobleOne) February 4, 2025
The church, which traces its origins to 1838, is on the National Register of Historic Places and has long been a safe space for Black families. It has also hosted numerous prominent leaders, including activists Ida B. Wells and Booker T. Washington. Frederick Douglass himself once worshiped there.
