by Mitti Hicks
February 5, 2025
The choose’s ruling means the Proud Boys, together with the folks related to it nationwide, can not use their very own identify or the group’s conventional symbols with out permission from Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church.
The Proud Boys not personal the rights to its identify. A Washington, D.C. choose awarded the Proud Boys’ trademarked identify to the Black church the far-right group vandalized 4 years in the past. Decide Tanya M. Jones Bosier’s ruling fulfills a $2.8 million default judgment towards the group by a distinct choose in 2023 so the church might get well damages incurred throughout a 2020 assault.
Enrique Tarrio, the previous chief of the Proud Boys, and a number of other different of his followers attacked the Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church in an evening of violence throughout a pro-Trump rally in December 2020.
“The Church has a protracted historical past of standing up for justice and towards all types of hate,” the church’s pastor, Rev. William H. Lamar IV, advised CNN. “We’re decided to carry the Proud Boys accountable and can proceed this struggle.”
What The Decide’s Ruling Means For The Proud Boys
Bosier’s two-page ruling says the Proud Boys’ trademark shall be transferred to the church. Her ruling implies that the group, together with the folks related to it nationwide, can not use its personal identify or the group’s conventional symbols. The church has to present the group permission to make use of it. The New York Instances reported that the ruling additionally prohibited the Proud Boys from promoting any merchandise with its identify or symbols with out consent.
Bosier’s ruling additionally permits the church to grab cash from the Proud Boys in the event that they promote merchandise with the identify or acquainted logos. To no shock, quite than accountability for his actions, Tarrio requires the church to revoke its nonprofit standing. He additionally says the choose must be impeached.
“This group, masquerading as a church, have to be subjected to a radical audit, and its nonprofit standing revoked instantly,” Tarrio wrote on X.
“The choose’s conduct on this case necessitates impeachment and investigation.”
Tarrio, who claims to observe Jesus Christ, provides, “I maintain in contempt any motions, judgments, and orders issued towards me.”
The previous Proud Boys chief was serving a 22-year jail sentence for seditious conspiracy earlier than Trump pardoned him final month, together with different Jan. 6 rioters.
Decide Neal E. Kravitz described the December 2020 assault on the Black church as “extremely orchestrated” that featured “hateful and overtly racist conduct” from Proud Boys members, CNN reported.
In accordance with Kravitz, a number of Proud Boys members leaped over the church’s fence and headed on to a Black Lives Matter signal. The choose stated they then broke the zip ties that held the indicators in place, tore the signal down, and stomped on it whereas loudly celebrating.
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