In a stunning legal twist, Metropolitan AME Church in Washington, D.C. has seized the proud boys trademark from the notorious extremist group, turning the tables on those who once vandalized its property. In a landmark ruling from D.C. Superior Court Judge Ton Jones Bosier, the historic church now holds the rights to a name synonymous with hate, effectively crippling the Proud Boys’ ability to operate under their own brand.

This unprecedented decision follows a $2.8 million judgment against the Proud Boys for their role in the 2020 destruction of the church’s Black Lives Matter sign during a pro-Trump rally. The group’s leader, Enrique Tarrio, who admitted to the crime, faced a brief jail sentence before being pardoned by former President Trump. Now, the church not only gains the power to block any unauthorized use of the Proud Boys name but can also collect revenue from any merchandise or memberships tied to it.

Reverend William H. Lamar IV declared this momentous victory a sign of resilience, stating, “For the first time in our nation’s history, a Black institution owns the property of a white supremacist group.” The church is rallying its community to stand firm against hate, emphasizing that the Proud Boys underestimated their resolve.

Tarrio, now silenced by this ruling, has publicly claimed harassment and labeled the court’s decision as unfair, but the church remains unyielding. This legal precedent marks a significant moment in the fight against racism, as the Proud Boys—once emboldened by their identity—now find themselves ᵴtriƥped of their name, forced to pay the very community they sought to intimidate. In a battle of justice, the church has delivered a powerful message: hate will not prevail.