Historic Black church takes on Proud Boys and wins: 'We want to see more victories'
Source: USA Today
Published 6:05 a.m. ET Feb. 14, 2025
WASHINGTON ‒ A historic Black church's recent court victory against the Proud Boys could spur others to also challenge far-right extremist groups, according to several faith leaders, civil rights activists and political scientists. “We want to capitalize on this energy,’’ said William Lamar, pastor of Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C. “It’s not a one off or just a victory for Metropolitan. We want to see more victories.”
Earlier this month, a Washington D.C. judge barred the Proud Boys, a group known for its role in the Jan. 6 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol, from selling merchandise using its name or symbols without permission from Metropolitan. The ruling allows the church to seize money that the group makes through “any sale, transfer, disposition, or license of the Proud Boys Trademark.”
The church sought action after the Proud Boys failed to pay on an earlier $2.8 million judgment for damaging a Black Lives Matter sign outside the church. Experts said other groups beyond faith institutions could follow Metropolitan’s lead at a time when hate and anti-government extremist groups are on the rise and some conservative organizations are stepping up efforts to dismantle civil rights policies and laws.
“This win for the church is a symbol of how we can push back,’’ said Margaret Huang, president and CEO of the Southern Poverty Law Center and SPLC Action Fund. “We have to use the courts and we have to use every tool at our disposal to make sure that we don't surrender the gains of the last several decades.’’
Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/02/14/black-church-inspires-proud-boys-washington-dc/78492172007/
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