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A historically Black church in Washington D.C. is suing the Proud Boys and its chairman over the destruction of the church’s Black Lives Matter banner during a Proud Boys pro-Trump rally in December.
The Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church says members of the Proud Boys climbed a fence surrounding the house of worship on M Street, trespassed on church property, cut the zip ties that held the congregation’s massive Black Lives Matter sign in place, and tore up the banner.
“The assailants stomped on the sign,” the lawsuit says, and “the remnants of the destroyed sign were stolen and carried away.”
Video posted later on Twitter captured the events and Proud Boys Chairman Enrique Tarrio took credit for the vandalism and theft almost immediately, according to the lawsuit. He reportedly said he was “damn proud” of his actions.
Metropolitan AME’s was one of two churches that reportedly sustained damage to their Black Lives Matter banners after the Proud Boys rally in support of outgoing President Donald J. Trump.
Tarrio was arrested in the district Monday evening and charged with destruction of property at a location other than Metropolitan AME. Capital police are said to be investigating both cases as potential hate crimes.
Metropolitan AME filed suit in Superior Court of the District of Columbia on Monday and alleges Proud Boys International LLC and Tarrio committed unlawful trespass, conspiracy, theft and defacement of private property, and intentional damage or destruction of religious property, among other things. The church is seeking monetary damages for the attack.
“December 12, 2020 amounted to a new and dangerous chapter in the long and terrible history of white supremacist mob violence targeting Black houses of worship,” the lawsuit says. Metropolitan AME is known for having a significant place in Black history and culture in Washington D.C., according to the lawsuit. It is “renowned as a beacon of light for African Methodists in the United States.”
On the night of the Proud Boys rally, the church and others visibly supporting the Black Lives Matter movement were targeted by the white supremacy group “terrorized through coordinated acts of violence,” the lawsuit claims.
The Proud Boys have been vocal opponents of the Black Lives Matter movement. Some of its members have also posted plans on social media to gather again in Washington D.C. on Wednesday – when Congress is set to formalize president-elect Joseph R. Biden’s Electoral College win over Trump – and on inauguration day on Jan 20.
In its lawsuit, the church indicated concern it could be vandalized again.
“By January 6, 2020, the replacement Black Lives Matter sign Metropolitan AME ordered … is scheduled to be hanging in front of the church, making the church once again a highly visible target for violence,” the lawsuit says.
Have any of your Black Lives Matter banners, signs or flags been damaged during Proud Boys rallies? Tell us about it in the comment section below.
Metropolitan AME is represented by Jon Greenbaum, Arusha Gordon and David Brody of Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law; Jonathan M. Smith, Kaitlin Banner and Jacqueline Kutnik-Bauder of Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights & Urban Affairs; Daniel J. Kramer, Andrew J. Ehrlich, Erin J. Morgan and Jeannie S. Rhee of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP.
The Black Lives Matter Lawsuit is Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church v. Proud Boys International LLC, et al., in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
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One thought on Church Says Proud Boys Responsible for Black Lives Matter Banner Destruction
The Proud Boys needs to know the pain that they cause. Considered to be sub-human devastates the spirit. Please add me.