Black Church Sells Proud Boys Merch After Trademark Win

Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C., has repurposed the Proud Boys logo into merchandise after winning the trademark in a legal battle against the far-right group. The church's pastor, Rev. William H. Lamar IV, stated that this initiative aims to transform the negative legacy of the Proud Boys into positive support for the Black community. The shirts, featuring slogans like 'Stay Proud, Stay Black' and 'Stay Proud, Black Lives Matter,' are sold to benefit the church's Community Justice Fund. This trademark victory is particularly significant as it marks the first instance of a Black institution owning the trademark of a white supremacist group. The legal dispute was initiated after the Proud Boys vandalized the church's Black Lives Matter sign in December 2020, leading to a judgment against them for $2.8 million. The church plans to use the proceeds from the merchandise sales to support community initiatives.