On Saturday night, on a violent rampage through Washington, D.C., the Proud Boys tore down Black Lives Matter signs at three historically Black churches: Asbury United Methodist Church, Metropolitan A.M.E., and Luther Place Memorial Church. At Asbury Methodist, they set the sign on fire, then poured accelerant to make it burn faster.
We unequivocally condemn Proud Boys and White supremacists everywhere. We unequivocally condemn the violent actions towards our neighbors. We unequivocally condemn the sign-tearing and burning we saw this weekend.
We stand with Asbury United Methodist Church, Metropolitan A.M.E. Church, and Luther Place Memorial Church. The link between cross-burnings used to terrorize Black neighbors just a few decades ago and the violent burning of a Black Lives Matter signs this weekend is undeniable.
We join the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law in calling on the U.S. Department of Justice to immediately open a federal civil rights investigation under the Church Arson Prevention Act to hold accountable those responsible for these racist and violent acts.
