WASHINGTON D.C. — The far-right organization known as the Proud Boys has lost control of its trademark after they defaulted on judgment owed to the historic Black church that was vandalized by group members.
On Monday, a D.C. court granted the church rights to the group’s trademark of its name. The ruling also bars the Proud Boys from selling merchandise with its name without the consent of Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church. The church can also seize any money Proud Boys makes from selling merchandise.
Metropolitan AME Church was vandalized in December 2020 during a violent clash between protestors at a rally supporting Donald Trump. Two churches that displayed a Black Lives Matter banners were damaged after members of the Proud Boys tore down and burned the signs.
Metropolitan AME Church filed a lawsuit to recover the costs from the damages to the church and was awarded a $2.8 million judgment.
More on the ruling and the church’s lawsuit against Proud Boys.
