In Washington, the Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church is steeped in history, having held significant events such as the funerals of Rosa Parks and Frederick Douglass, and welcoming high-profile figures including American presidents and civil rights leaders. This year, it added to its legacy by acquiring the trademark to the Proud Boys name and symbols. This development followed a series of legal actions after the organization vandalized church property.
The Proud Boys, an extremist group linked to the right-wing movement, had destroyed Black Lives Matter signs at the church during a Donald Trump rally in December 2020. Reverend William H. Lamar IV, the pastor of Metropolitan AME, remarked that the act was politically intimidating, akin to cross-burning intended to silence the community. In response to this, the church pursued legal measures. By 2023, a judge ruled in favor of the church, awarding it $2.8 million in damages for the Proud Boys’ racially motivated actions.
After failing to receive payment, the court granted the church rights to the Proud Boys’ trademarks, including their distinctive black-and-yellow color scheme and laurel logo. This new legal claim allows the church to redirect any financial gains from the Proud Boys’ merchandise sales to its community-driven initiatives. As part of this effort, the church has begun selling items with messages like “Stay Proud, Stay Black” and plans to expand its offerings for special occasions, with proceeds benefiting justice-focused endeavors.
Reverend Lamar reflects on the church’s actions as an extension of the long-standing civil rights struggles, highlighting a tradition of using legal avenues to combat oppression. This perspective aligns Metropolitan AME with historical battles against racial injustice, similar to those fought by Black communities in the past.
The legal triumph coincides with former President Trump’s pardoning of several Proud Boys involved in the January 6 Capitol-related offenses, including their former leader Enrique Tarrio, who remains a defendant in the lawsuit. Following the trademark acquisition, church member Khaleelah Harris expressed mixed emotions, acknowledging the ongoing risks and the significant cost of increased security for the church. Despite these concerns, she affirmed the decision as part of the church’s historical commitment to justice.
Metropolitan AME has stood as a monument to resilience since its founding in 1838. Its construction was aided by donations from AME congregations across the country, creating a national emblem just blocks from the White House. The church’s members have historically faced segregation but have built strong, supportive communities to sustain their spirit and humanity.
Rev. Lamar, originally from Georgia, has personal ties to the church, having learned about its significance during his upbringing. His tenure as pastor has been marked by the community’s strategic yet cautious engagement with controversial entities. While some members, like Wayne Curtis, remain wary of the attention given to the Proud Boys, they recognize the potential for this legal victory to instill a sense of humility within extremist circles.
Even amidst the potential rebranding of the Proud Boys, the church remains committed to pursuing outstanding damages while sending a decisive message against intimidation of any group or individual. The church’s bold display of Black Lives Matter messaging outside its doors stands as testament to its convictions, contrasting with broader civic changes in the area.
Inside Metropolitan, the church’s history is visibly cherished, with names and stories immortalized in its architecture. Reverend Lamar, working on a book inspired by Black ancestral figures, sees the church’s recent courtroom success as part of a broader continuum of justice where past struggles encourage present resilience.