In December 2020, the Proud Boys desecrated and vandalized Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church (and by extension, everyone who stands against hate) when the Proud Boys “leaped over Metropolitan AME Church’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.” Read the order from Judge Neal E. Kravitz. 

 

Metropolitan AME Church did not back down. The church stands drawing strength from the legacies of Elizabeth Freeman and Ida B. Wells-Barnett, against the Proud Boys, a white supremacist group, and vowed to fight because following Jesus in these times and circumstances demands nothing less.  As a result of these efforts, Metropolitan was able to secure $2.8 million in damages based on the hateful conduct of the Proud Boys burning our Black Lives Matter banner.  

 

However, this resounding victory was incomplete as just a judgment on paper with no actual exchange of monies to compensate Metropolitan.  As a result, Metropolitan went to court to enforce the judgment and Judge Tanya M. Jones Bosier ruled in the church’s favor.  For the first time in our nation’s history, a Black institution owns property of a white supremacist group. Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church now owns the exclusive rights to the Proud Boys trademark, stripping them of the very name they rallied under. This also means that any money the Proud Boys makes from using the trademark must be paid to Metropolitan to help satisfy the multi-million-dollar default judgment.

 

Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church was founded in 1838.  From its founding, Metropolitan AME Church, has and continues to do what other churches will not. We are known locally, nationally, and internationally, to be deeply spiritual and deeply engaged in the world. From anti-slavery leadership in the mid-19th century, in the harboring of runaway slaves, to organizing power, people and money toward the flourishing of all people in the District of Columbia today. Metropolitan has been not just a significant center of worship, but also an institution in the forefront of the civic, cultural, and intellectual life among African Americans and others. Today, Metropolitan is focused on theologically sound teaching and preaching in worship; combatting food insecurity through our Food Bank; addressing ecological devastation by addressing heat islands in metropolitan cities with Smart Surfaces Coalition; equipping parents and families with culturally responsive and biblically grounded teaching through the Sankofa project; and building Black Equity and Wealth through Homeownership, prioritizing community safety and holding political leaders accountable with Washington Interfaith Network. 

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We appreciate your taking the time to visit us. You can stand with us in one of two ways:  by investing in the Community Justice Fund, which you will hear more about in the coming weeks, and by purchasing a limited edition commemorative t-shirt. All proceeds for the t-shirt sales will support the work of the justice fund.  

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Every contribution will make a difference as we redouble our commitment to fight hate and to enact justice. Stand with us and against hate by investing in the Community Justice Fund today. 

 

Joy and justice, 

William H. Lamar IV