(Washington, D.C.) — The Proud Boys and other white supremacists targeted Asbury United Methodist Church and Metropolitan A.M.E. Church, two historically Black churches with acts of violence on Saturday night in the midst of pro-Trump rallies. The following is a statement from Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law:
“In no uncertain terms, we condemn the Proud Boys and other white supremacists who targeted historically Black churches in D.C. with acts of violence. Their Klan-like actions harken back to the days of Jim Crow and their destruction of Black Lives Matter signs are nothing more than modern-day cross-burnings intended to intimidate and terrorize the Black community. These historically Black churches are important institutions in D.C. that have a long history of standing against oppression and providing a safe haven for communities of color. We call 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.”
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About the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law – The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (Lawyers’ Committee), a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, was formed in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy to involve the private bar in providing legal services to address racial discrimination. The principal mission of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is to secure, through the rule of law, equal justice for all, particularly in the areas of voting rights, criminal justice, fair housing and community development, economic justice, educational opportunities, and hate crimes. For more information, please visit https://lawyerscommittee.org.
