The Proud Boys, a far-right group, have lost their trademark rights to their name following a ruling from Judge Tanya M. Jones Bosier in Washington, DC. This decision arises from a $2.8 million default judgement awarded to the Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church, which was attacked by Proud Boys members in December 2020. The ruling dictates that all trademark interests now belong to the church, meaning any profits derived from the Proud Boys name or merchandise must be redirected to the church to help satisfy the judgement.
Reverend William H. Lamar IV of the church has expressed commitment to holding the Proud Boys accountable, while Enrique Tarrio, the former chairman of the group, has publicly disputed the church’s claims and called for an audit of its activities. The assault on the church was described as “highly orchestrated” and marked by “hateful and overtly racist conduct,” according to a separate judge’s findings. The incident involved Proud Boys members damaging a Black Lives Matter sign outside the church, an act that was celebrated by others in attendance. With a history of standing against hate, the church aims to continue its fight for justice in light of this ruling.