Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs The ownership of the Proud Boys’ name has been transferred to a Black church that sued the far-right group after some of its supporters vandalized a Black Lives Matter sign on the church grounds.Why It MattersA court’s decision to transfer the ownership of the Proud Boys name effectively ends one of the largest far-right, pro-Trump organizations and suggests a legal pathway for groups affected by far-right violence.What To KnowJudge Tanya M. Jones Bosier of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia ruled on February 3 that the Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in Washington, D.C., should receive the Proud Boys trademark and name.Bosier’s decision prevents the Proud Boys from using the trademark or selling Proud Boy merchandise without the church’s approval.
Enrique Tarrio, the former leader of the Proud Boys, speaks during a press conference at the Las Vegas Cuban Cuisine restaurant in Doral, Florida, on January 24, 2025.
Enrique Tarrio, the former leader of the Proud Boys, speaks during a press conference at the Las Vegas Cuban Cuisine restaurant in Doral, Florida, on January 24, 2025.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
The ruling stems from a confrontation on Dec. 12, 2020, when Proud Boys supporters attending a pro-Trump “Stop The Steal” event climbed the fence of the AME Church and destroyed a Black Lives Matter sign.On August 17, 2023, Judge Neal Kravitz ordered the Proud Boys to pay the AME church $2.8 million in compensation.In his ruling, Kravitz noted that video footage showed Proud Boys supporters as they “leaped over Metropolitan AME’s fence, entered the church’s property, and went directly to the Black Lives Matter sign. They then broke the zip ties that held the sign in place, tore down the sign, threw it to the ground, and stomped on it while loudly celebrating.””Many others then jumped over the fence onto the church’s property and joined in the celebration of the sign’s destruction.”When the Proud Boys didn’t pay the $2.8 million, Judge Bosier ordered that the group’s name and yellow-and-black laurel wreath symbol be transferred to the church.What People Are SayingRev. William H. Lamar IV, pastor of the Metropolitan AME Church, told CBS MoneyWatch: “If they thought we would be afraid, they were wrong. There are many people with us and who stand with us.”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 ever capitulated to the violent whims of white supremacist groups.”In a message on X, formerly Twitter, former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio said: “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.”
President Donald Trump pardoned Tarrio, who had been serving a 22-year sentence for seditious conspiracy for his role in the pro-Trump January 6, 2021 riot at the Capitol.Tarrio wrote that the jailing of Proud Boy leaders after the January 6 trials prevented them from mounting an effective defense to the church’s lawsuit.”The presiding judge has denied due process to myself and the other defendants, preventing us from presenting a proper defense. We were subjected to unjust incarceration and mistreatment at the hands of our own government, leaving us no recourse,” he wrote.What Happens NextAs former Proud Boy leaders jailed for the January 6 riot have now been pardoned and released, they will have more time to focus on the case. They may appeal the judge’s decision and seek a temporary stay on her judgment while they do so.
