Tarrio posted a statement in response to the ruling on X, which said in part, “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 also compared the church to Judas and said its nonprofit status should be revoked.
“In this time when those who are justice- and freedom-loving feel like the very oxygen they breathe is just no longer accessible because of the injustice, the white supremacist violence we see politically and elsewhere,” said Lamar in response to the ongoing situation with the Proud Boys, “what happened for us shows that if we continue to fight together, there are victories.”
When asked if the church plans to use the Proud Boys trademark, Lamar said yes, noting, “In order to own a trademark and to keep its ownership, you must use it.” He shared that there is apparel on his church’s website, as well as a Community Justice Fund where people can support the church.
The Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church website features the black and yellow colors that denote the Proud Boys branding with the words “stand up for justice with us.” Clicking on the Purchase Apparel link takes users to a page with two shirts for sale. Both feature the Proud Boys wreath and the initials “PB,” but the text on one says, “Stay Proud, Stay Black,” and the text on the other says, “Stay Proud, Black Lives Matter.”
“We intend to use this evil symbol to make some good in the world,” said Lamar, “and to amplify, not only our work, but to amplify the work of other churches, communities, persons of faith, and persons of no faith, to amplify that work and to deepen the solidarity that we share.”
When asked if receiving the Proud Boys trademark was adequate compensation in lieu of the $2.8 million, Lamar was quick to say, “No, no, it is not in lieu.”
“We want the full amount of the judgment, and we will continue to move forward until we are made whole,” he said. Of the Proud Boys’ vandalism of his church’s “Black Lives Matter” sign, Lamar said, “It was not just a sign.”
“This is of a piece with burning crosses and nooses,” said the pastor. “This was a symbol of white supremacist violence. This was a political act. And they knew this. They know this. They understand that. But what they did not understand is that we come from people who have never cowered and we never will.”
