The decision awarding Metropolitan AME the rights to the Proud Boys trademark was handed down Monday, Feb. 3, by Judge Tanya M. Jones Bosier. It prevents the group from using its own name and symbols without the church’s permission.
It also “also clears the way for the church to try to seize any money that the Proud Boys might make by selling merchandise like hats or T-shirts emblazoned with their name or with any of their familiar logos, including a black and yellow laurel wreath,” reports The New York Times.
In a statement posted to X, Tarrio responded to Bosier’s ruling, saying, “As a follower of Jesus Christ, I see disturbing parallels between this church’s actions toward the individuals and families involved and the Pharaoh’s oppression of the Israelites in the story of Moses.”
Tarrio accused the church of engaging “in a campaign of harassment and falsehoods, evidenced by their every filed motion.” He accused the judge of denying him and others due process and accused the government of injustice. Tarrio compared the judge and the church to Judas, calling for an audit of the church, for its nonprofit status to be revoked, and for Bosier to be impeached.
Tarrio said that God is with him and would vindicate him. “Though the corrupt judicial system unjustly confined me two weeks ago, my faith in Jesus Christ has set me free,” he said. “I pray for their sake they do not suffer the same fate as Pharaoh. However, let it be known: retribution is inevitable.”
ChurchLeaders has reached out to Rev. William H. Lamar IV for comment and will update this article in the event of a reply.
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