An historic Black church in Washington, DC filed suit yesterday against the Proud Boys, its chairman Enrique Tarrio, and members of the organization, seeking damages and declaratory relief for vandalizing of the church. The complaint (full text) in Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church v. Proud Boys International, L.L.C., (DC Super. Ct., filed 1/4/2021), alleges in part:
1. On December 12, 2020, hundreds of members of the Proud Boys, an all-male group with ties to white nationalism and a pronounced history of violence, traveled to Washington D.C. for the purpose of committing further acts of violence intended to intimidate and silence individuals and organizations that support racial justice.
2. Arriving in droves from around the country, they created a violent riot in Washington, D.C., committed brutal assaults against protestors and passersby, destroyed property, and silenced peaceful speech by tearing down, igniting, and otherwise destroying signs and banners supporting the Black Lives Matter movement.
3.... Metropolitan AME, like other nearby churches showing support for the Black Lives Matter movement, was terrorized through coordinated acts of violence when Proud Boys members climbed over a fence surrounding the Church, came on to the Church’s property and destroyed a large Black Lives Matter sign the Church was proudly displaying....
The suit alleges conversion, trespass, violations of the D.C. Bias-Related Crime Act of 1989, and the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act that prohibits damaging or destroying property of a house of worship. Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights issued a press release announcing the lawsuit. Miami Herald reports on the suit.
Meanwhile (according to AP), yesterday Tarrio returned to D.C. in advance of the protests planned for Wednesday when Congress certifies Electoral College results. He was promptly taken into custody under an arrest warrant issued in connection with the December 12 incident. He also will likely face weapons charges since officers found two high-capacity firearm magazines in his custody when he was arrested.
[Thanks to Michael Lieberman for the lead.]
