Court Grants Church Control Over Proud Boys Trademark
A Washington, D.C., judge has awarded control of the Proud Boys’ trademark to the Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church. The decision follows a lawsuit filed by the church after members of the far-right group vandalized its property in December 2020. The ruling prevents Proud Boys International from selling or licensing its trademark without court approval or the church’s consent.
The case has garnered widespread media attention, with outlets such as The New York Times, The Independent, The Guardian, and The Hill covering its implications. The ruling highlights ongoing tensions between civil rights groups and far-right extremist organizations, reinforcing the role of the legal system in holding such groups accountable.
$2.8 Million Default Judgment Enforced
Judge Tanya M. Jones Bosier of the District of Columbia Superior Court issued the injunction on February 3. The order enforces a previous $2.8 million default judgment against the Proud Boys, issued in June 2023 by Judge Neal E. Kravitz. The church argued that Proud Boys members trespassed on its property and destroyed a prominent Black Lives Matter sign.
Church Gains Power Over Proud Boys Branding
With this ruling, Proud Boys chapters nationwide can no longer legally use their name or traditional symbols without the church’s permission. The New York Times reports that the ruling allows the church to seize any profits from merchandise sales featuring the group’s name or logos, including the recognizable black and yellow laurel wreath. The church was represented by the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs, and the law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison.
This ruling serves as a groundbreaking example of how legal action can be used to dismantle extremist organizations beyond criminal prosecution. Civil lawsuits have proven to be effective in holding such groups accountable, especially when criminal law is insufficient to address financial or organizational structures.
Former Proud Boys Leader Enrique Tarrio Reacts
Enrique Tarrio, a former Proud Boys leader, was named in the lawsuit. He is currently serving a 22-year sentence for seditious conspiracy related to the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. Although he was not at the Capitol that day due to a prior arrest and city ban, he played a key role in organizing the events. Tarrio took to X, formerly Twitter, to denounce the ruling, accusing the church of harassment and calling for an investigation into the judge’s conduct.
Supporters and Critics Respond
Supporters of the ruling view it as a victory against extremist groups and a step toward holding them accountable. Critics, including Tarrio and Proud Boys affiliates, claim it is an overreach that unfairly punishes them. The ruling’s impact on the group’s operations remains uncertain.
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DC church controls Proud Boys trademark as result of judge’s decision
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