Amanda Renee Ledford, The Dozier Law Firm, Ryan Chester Weir, Dozier Law Firm PLLC, Washington, DC, for Defendants. 86841790 ("United Supreme Council Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Prince Hall Affiliation Southern Jurisdiction") was registered on February 14, 2017. This image is presented for research and educational purposes only, and may not be distributed or re-published without permission from the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library. Defendants challenge the standing of both named Plaintiffs in this case: (1) the United Supreme Council, 33 Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Prince Hall Affiliation, Southern Jurisdiction of the United States of America ("Plaintiff USC-SJ"); and (2) the United Supreme Council 33 of the Ancient and Accepted . (citing to Amended Complaint, Dkt. 44 at 69. 2004). Scottish Rite (Masonic order) -- Membership, Museum & Library Acquires Richard Theodore Greener's 33rd Degree Scottish Rite Certificate. 2005). Knight 33 rd , M.P. Supreme Council Southern Jurisdiction. John G. Jones and Richard M. Hancock were elevated to the Active Grade of the USC-SJ. It cannot. 2. united supreme council, 33 degree of the ancient and accepted scottish rite of freemasonry, prince hall affiliation, southern jurisdiction of the united states of america, a tennessee non-profit corporation; united supreme council 33 (thirty-three) of the ancient and accepted scottish rite of freemasonry (prince hall affiliation) southern jurisdiction u.s., grand orient at washington, district . See Potomac Conference Corp. of Seventh-Day Adventists v. Takoma Academy Alumni Ass'n , No. The See McDonald's Corp. v. Turner-James , No. In protest, Jones created a bogus Supreme Council - Supreme Council for the Southern and Western Jurisdiction (JGJ-SC), incorporated it and styled himself as Sovereign Grand Commander after the 1895 session. On April 1, 1880 the United States Supreme Council issued to Balthasar Assembly #69, Marquette-Joliet Consistory #104 organized with Neal Carson as Commander-In-Chief, Sovereign Grand Inspector General Eddie Winifred "Doc" Helm, Sovereign Grand Inspector General Charles J. Stewart, Sovereign Grand Inspector General James Gayles. The Order of the Golden Circle is the womens auxiliary of the United Supreme Council, 33, Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Prince Hall Affiliation, Southern Jurisdiction, USA, Inc. has never set up nor authorized any other Supreme Councils. members in 1856 and set up the Southern and Western Supreme Council in 1869. Active Members of the Supreme Council, 33, SJ, USA Ill. James D. Cole, 33 Sovereign Grand Commander & SGIG at-Large Ill. Joe R. Manning, Jr., 33 Lieutenant Grand Commander & SGIG in Oklahoma Ill. Leonard Proden, 33 Grand Prior & SGIG in the District of Columbia Ill. Robert W. Cockerham, 33 Grand Chancellor & SGIG in Missouri Ill. Joseph C. Harrison, Jr., 33 Grand Minister of State . in 1870. The Baltimore , Md. See Dkt. 44 at 66, 185). African American fraternal organizations. History Ohio Council of Deliberation With Excelsior's formation in 1889, two Consistories operated through 1896 - Prince Hall (USC-SJ) and Excelsior (USSC). There are several See Dkt. See Dkt. 2004). 23, 2010) ) (collecting cases). 1992). The United Supreme Council, Southern Jurisdiction's long history of civil rights involvement with the likes of SGIG John Lewis and SGIG Thurgood Marshall is a testimony that the men within our . ____ or Chapter No. Deputy of The Orient - Orient of Georgia 320 at 19 51. Indeed, Plaintiffs seem to abandon their Section 32 Lanham Act claim and spend the bulk of their Opposition asserting their entitlement to relief under Section 43. Columbia , and presided over by the Ill. Thornton A. Jackson, 33 rd , 96 th , Plaintiffs' members purchase their dress and regalia from commercial vendors. problems we have today with so many different Masonic Orders. Bell 33 rd See D.C. Code Ann. 5, Certificate of Incorporation). Page Last Modified: Tuesday, February 7, 2023. legitimate Supreme Councils among colored Masons in the United States of Specifically, the Count I of the Amended Complaint alleges that Defendants engaged in "unfair competition under the common law of the Commonwealth of Virginia." Copyright 19982023 The Supreme Council, 33, A. No manual registration forms will be processed after July 10th. Signed by Greener, John G. Jones, D.F. Advanced Registration ends on September 14, 2023. The Court will first address Plaintiffs' standing, and will then consider the merits of Plaintiffs' claims of tortious interference with contract, copyright infringement, trademark infringement, unfair competition, and conspiracy. 22. As explained above, failure to respond to an argument made in a dispositive pleading results in a concession of that claim. E., Inc. v. Beals , 279 F.Supp.2d 699, 710 (E.D. Liam O'Grady United States District Judge. Grand Secretary General. In the absence of a registered trademark, Plaintiffs cannot claim trademark infringement under Section 32, which entitles "the registrant" to sue for trademark infringement. A. S. Rite of 256 at 20. UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA Alexandria Division. Loyal Ladies Supporting Since 1907 The Order of the Golden Circle is the women's auxiliary of the United Supreme Council, 33, Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Prince Hall Affiliation, Southern Jurisdiction, USA, Inc. I agree that you can collect, process and use my personal information as set forth in this document and for the purposes set forth in the document. 11 at 182:7-9 ("There is no basis in Masonic law for any consistory or any member to withhold dues or to transfer monies in banks accounts to any other entity."). Annual Session Advanced Registration 2023 The United Supreme Council Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry The United Supreme Council - Southern Jurisdiction is proud to announce the opening of the doors of the United Supreme Council to the Sublime Princes of the Royal Secret. 1879, 1887-1896, 1902; The Broad Ax, November 25, 1899; The Washington Bee - April 11, 1896, April 25, 1896; The Conservator - November 18, 1882, September 8, 1883, December 18, 1886;Proceedings, MWPHGL of Illinois, 1903, 1904. We support our Scottish Rite Masonic Fraters through various community and social events. & A.S.R. "); see also Dkt. the realms Masonic perfection, and render to him similar service as the college Baltimore , Md. united supreme council northern jurisdiction pha By the turn of the 20th Century, Illinois had become home to multiple Supreme Councils. It cannot, therefore, assert injury arising from Defendant United Supreme Council's acts which were made in reliance on Plaintiff's dissolution. Greener, Richard Theodore, 1844-1922 -- Freemasonry. 239, 245 (4th Cir. Human progress is our cause, liberty of thought our supreme wish, freedom of conscience our mission, and the guarantee of equal rights to all people everywhere our ultimate goal. States Supreme Council was set up by Baron A. Hugo de Bulow 33 rd a member of The United Supreme Council, AASRM, 33rd And Last Degree Of Freemasonry United Supreme Council, 33 Degree v. United Supreme Council - Casetext members of the Southern Supreme Council and the Southern and Western Supreme Plaintiffs admit that this alleged contract is governed by Masonic, not United States, law. Dkt. Constitutions of 1786, regularly organized and opened a Supreme Council of the Plaintiffs have not pointed to any authority outlining exceptions to this general rule in this context. The first Scottish Rite organization among African-Americans was the African Grand Council of 1820 in Philadelphia, which was referred to as the Council of Princes of Jerusalem. Dependencies, Grand East at New York , and presided over by Ill. Peter W. Ray, However, Jones was eventually expelled from the USC-SJ due to actions resulting from his failure to achieve the Office of Sovereign Grand Commander in 1895. , of Washington, D.C., Magnus L. Robinson 33 rd , and R.B. Lodges are still active in Washington , DC . The plain language of the D.C. code supports this reading: D.C. Code 29-106.03(d) (emphasis added). Deputy of the Year for the United Supreme Council Southern Jurisdiction for the years 2010 and 2012 Award for Dedication and Commitment to W.C. Thomas Lodge 1997 Golden Link Volunteer Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Community Service by Atlanta Journal Newspaper 1997 Scottish Rite (Masonic order). The Court finds that the mark is not strong or distinctive, and is in fact in common use. Moreover, courts have dismissed evidence of only a small number of instances of actual confusion as de minimis. It in turn conferred the degrees on Washington , D.C. Pulis 33 rd , and Richard H. Gleaves 33 rd the 13 th day of January, 1881, it was agreed to form two Supreme Councils for c/o M.W. 622, 624 (E.D. - 1883-1895: John W. Dunmore These For the Southern and Western Masonic Jurisdiction U.S.A. and Canada and All of Its Departments and Auxiliaries, Established April 5, 1869. to convene the representatives again on January 13, 1881 . Greetings from the officers and members of the Great Orient of Georgia Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Prince Hall Family. 1. The Fourth Circuit has noted that "[t]he test for trademark infringement and unfair competition under the Lanham Act is essentially the same as that for common law unfair competition under Virginia law because both address the likelihood of confusion as to the source of the goods or services involved." The United Supreme Council - Southern Jurisdiction 2022 Souvenir Its purpose is to give the Masonic student a cleaner insight into To establish tortious interference with contractual relations, a claimant must: (1) demonstrate the existence of a valid contractual relationship or business expectancy; (2) prove knowledge of the relationship or expectancy by the interferor; (3) show intentional interference inducing or causing a breach of the relationship; and (4) show that it suffered damages from the interference. 4th 662, 669, 69 Cal.Rptr.3d 87 (2007). On rd of Cambridge, Mass., E.A. were given the Scottish Rite degrees. PDF PETITION FOR REINSTATEMENT - nccodpha.org , and the Southern and Western Supreme Council of Washington, is when the Supreme Councils of the Southern Jurisdiction (PHA) and the 182 at 2; Dkt. Grand While it is true that lack of legal capacity is an affirmative defense which must be raised in an answer, standing is a jurisdictional issue which may be raised at any time. 71. Va. 2012) (citing Kinetic Concepts, Inc. v. Convatec Inc. , No. But the only material which is actually subject to copyright is U.S. John 41. See Dkt. See Dkt. They have not demonstrated an enforceable contract. today, members then could have membership in more than one Masonic - 1899-1903: Robert C. Waring See ChinaCast Edu. Supreme Council for the Southern Jurisdiction (SC-SJ) 5. Corp. v.Chen Zhou Guo , No. The Scottish Rite in the State of Illinois originates from the SC-SJ and USSC. for the same members. also you will see that he was our Sovereign after the Southern Supreme Council , 2010 WL 11444098, at *2 ; see also Levy v. Am. The Scottish Rite Creed. The The purple crown is that of an elected officer of our United Supreme Council in the Southern Jurisdiction, PHA. Prince Hall Consistory was organized in 1879 in the City of Chicago by the SC-SJ and fell under the USC-SJ after 1881. ILL. Calvin N. Eason 33/96 (NY) Med. 2007) ; Valador, Inc. v. HTC Corp. , 241 F.Supp.3d 650, 669 (E.D. 319 at 16 (offering as examples of confusion the depositions of Wells Fargo employee Adrian Shears, and members of Plaintiffs' organization such as Shelton Riddick). House of the Temple staff are pleased to welcome attendees and guests of Masonic Week and the Conference of Grand Masters in North America to the Washington, D.C. area this February. PRICE: $25.00 (S-XL) $27.00 (2XL) $29.00 (3XL)$32.00 (4XL) $35.00 (5XL), DESIGN PB-2: "AASR: Southern Jurisdiction" by The MAAC short-staffed . Prince Hall Consistory fell under the leadership of the following fraters as a bogus Consistory after 1897:- 1896: John W. Dunmore- 1897-1898: Champion J. Waring- 1899-1903: William Gray It in turn set up the Southern Supreme Council at 256 at 15 42; Dkt. We are in every Orient and Valley. See Dkt. Plaintiffs are therefore in an unusual position; they have admitted that they are not a Tennessee corporation, as plead in the operative Complaint, but they have made no showing as to any other legal existence. The Fourth Circuit has required a determination that a likelihood of confusion exists by examining the allegedly infringing use in the context in which it is seen by the ordinary consumer. House of the Temple Historic Preservation Foundation, Inc. Scottish Rite Foundation, Southern Jurisdiction, U.S.A., Inc. Special Tour Schedule for Masonic Week and COGMNA Attendees, The 100th Anniversary of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial Cornerstone Laying and the Scottish Rite, Statement of Unity Signing Brightens a September Day, Privacy & Use Policies for EU & EEA Residents (GDPR). Therefore, because Plaintiff USC-SJ has failed to establish that it has any legal existence, it has no standing to bring the claims asserted in the Amended Complaint. . The defendants had been members of the United Supreme Council, 33 Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Prince Hall Affiliation, Southern Jurisdiction of the United States of American, also known as USC-SJ I. . The wearing of the crown is considered proper at United Supreme Council Sessions, regularly scheduled meetings, Maundy Thursday services, Easter celebrations, and other official Scottish Rite functions. On November 1, 1923, Freemasons from across the United States gathered in Virginia to participate in a special Masonic cornerstone ceremony. Dkt. ideals, desirous to soar among the talented craftsmen of the art, and better 338. raising same concern in context of standing analysis, United Supreme Council v. United Supreme Council of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite for the 33 Degree of Freemasonry. See D.C. Code Ann. you look at the office of M. P. Sov. - 1913: Lewis W. Dickerson & A.M. 3501 12th Street N.E. For these reasons, the Court grants summary judgment in Defendants' favor on Count IX. Orient of Georgia - Home several others residing in the city of Washington D.C. petitioned to have a The United Supreme Council Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the Southern and Western Masonic Jurisdiction of the U.S.A. and Canada as organized on April 5, 1869, in the city of Washington, D.C., by many high degree Masons from Washington , D.C. to regulate Scottish Rite Masonry from the fourth to the thirty-third . History of the Rite - Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, S.J., U.S.A. result was an agreement to form two Supreme Councils. Additionally, there was no survey evidence of a likelihood of confusion presented.--------. On November 1, 1923, Freemasons from across the United States gathered in Virginia to participate in a special Masonic cornerstone ceremony. 1348, 89 L.Ed.2d 538 (1986). Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of (USC-NJ) and the United Supreme Council, Southern Jurisdiction (USC-SJ) in 1881, it did not move forward as planned due to a lawsuit introduced by John G. Jones and Edward H. Morris on behalf of Prince Hall Consistory. The United Supreme Council, AASRM, 33rd And Last Degree Of Freemasonry, For The Southern and Western Masonic Jurisdiction, USA emerged out of a pursuit to inspire and support the masonic community, and a desire for actions to speak louder than words. 1864 United States New York Peter W. Ray, 3 Established in 1869, we are an organization driven by progressive ideas, bold actions, and a . However, both parties agree that USC-SJ is not a Tennessee corporation, and the Court declines to adopt a fact where the fact is clearly untrue simply because Defendants made an admission in their Answer. Web site designed and maintained by Walker Solutions Inc. See Spokeo, Inc. v. Robins , U.S. , 136 S.Ct. The Southern Supreme Council set up the King Frederick France. January 27 th 1887 , a union was formed between the Southern Supreme Council of for the Southern and Western Masonic Jurisdiction of the U.S.A. and Canada as Southern Jurisdiction of the United States of American, also known as USC-SJ I. 1733 16th St. NW The crown is purple in . Supreme Council in 1871. split from our Imperial Grand Council Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Sovereign Grand Inspector General Brian L. Abrams Sr. Sovereign Grand Inspector GeneralMelvin Frierson, Scottish Rite Clarion Newsletter for the Orient of Illinois introduced, Legatos: Deputies for the Orient of Illinois from 1913 to 2008 published, Prince Hall Consistory #3 was organized in 1879 in the City of Chicago by the Supreme Council for the Southern Jurisdiction and remained under the umbrella of the United Supreme Council for the Southern Jurisdiction (USC-SJ) after its consolidation in 1881. Council from 1856 1869 at which time they wanted to administer the Scottish First, the Court considers the strength and distinctiveness of the Plaintiffs' mark. Supreme Council of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States of 320, Ex. of Grand Rapids, Mich., H.W. Va. Sept. 29, 2016) (finding no standing where party had no independent legal status). The 1940). The Bulletin - Spring 2021 by United Supreme Council, 33,AASR - Issuu See Dkt. For these reasons, the Court finds that Plaintiff Grand Orient has no standing to bring its claims against the Defendants in this case.Even if Plaintiffs USC-SJ and Grand Orient had standing to bring the claims asserted in the Amended Complaint, summary judgment in Defendants' favor is appropriate because Plaintiffs' claims fail on the merits. 319 at 18-19 (stating in a conclusory manner and without citation to supporting record evidence that Defendants "interfered with [the] contract using the improper means of unfair competition. In 33; Dkt. among colored Masons, all claiming the right and authority to confer the Regarding this constitution, Plaintiffs have failed to demonstrate that Defendants have infringed on any of Plaintiffs' exclusive rights. 319 at 9-11. America, Grand East at Philadelphia, Pa. (United States Supreme Council backed Each Valley has up to four Scottish Rite bodies, and each body confers a set of degrees. Plaintiff has not provided, nor has the Court identified, any authority to suggest that an applicant for a trademark registration is entitled to the standing due to a registrant. R. Civ. Although the USSC initially agreed to the consolidations and creation of the United Supreme Council, Northern Jurisdiction (USC-NJ) and the United Supreme Council, Southern Jurisdiction (USC-SJ) in 1881, it did not move forward as planned due to a lawsuit introduced by John G. Jones and Edward H. Morris on behalf of Prince Hall Consistory. It would deprive the statute of its force and encourage a corporation to default on paying its taxes and fees and filing its annual reports if by subsequent compliance such a corporation could at its convenience completely erase the effects of the penalty."). United Supreme Council - History All subsequent activities labelled Masonic by both after their suspension and expulsion are considered bogus. See Dkt. 106. See Dkt. See Dkt. Council for the Northern Jurisdiction, and the two in the south to form one The , and presided over by the Ill. George W. Roper, 33 rd , M. P. Sov. The record does not reflect that Defendants chose their name "advisedly and with the purpose of leading the general public, and the persons with whom it was likely to be associated to believe that it stood as" representative of Plaintiffs' organization. our history. Va. 2017) (rejecting evidence of confusion from a "plaintiff-insider"). 257, Ex. Va. 2015). Oct. 25, 2010) ("A question as to legal existence is a question of standing."). 183; see also Dkt. Freemason Splinter Group Wards Off Fraud Claim Over Use of Name United Supreme, To support a claim of false designation of origin and/or trademark infringement under the Lanham Act, a, Full title:UNITED SUPREME COUNCIL, 33 DEGREE OF THE ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED SCOTTISH, Court:UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA Alexandria Division, discussing waiver of legal capacity claim as to USC-SJ I. united supreme council southern and western jurisdiction RiteCare Scottish Rite Childhood Language Program. See Grand Lodge of Improved, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World v. Grand Lodge, Improved, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World, Inc. , 50 F.2d 860, 862 (4th Cir. Get in touch with The United Supreme Council, AASRM, 33rd And Last Degree Of Freemasonry, For The Southern and Western Masonic Jurisdiction, USA to learn more about our work and how you can get involved. do hereby make it known unto you that there are only two regular and legal If Plaintiff USC-SJ has failed to establish a legal existence, it can have no stake in the outcome of this case. To show a violation of Section 43 of the Lanham Act, a plaintiff must demonstrate that it has a valid, protectable trademark and that the defendant's use of a colorable imitation of the trademark is likely to cause confusion among consumers. In the Northern Masonic Jurusdiction, the bodies are the: The Supreme Council confers the 33 of Sovereign Grand Inspector General. is the year that tore Prince Hall Masonry apart. Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States of America . United Supreme Council - Officers See Rahman , 873 F.Supp.2d at 728. In 1917, Occidental #28 changed its name to Western Consistory #28 after the 1917 Annual Session with permission of the USC-NJ and was incorporated under the laws of the State of Illinois. After the Masonic expulsion of John G. Jones and William Gray in 1904, the remnants of Prince Hall Consistory sought a new home. Williams 33 rd formerly of New Orleans, La., 1995). They worked under King David Supreme 2006) ("Absent a complete and successful registration, C & C is not a registrant under the parameters of Section 32(1) and cannot bring a claim pursuant to that section at this time. Plaintiffs merely assert that they have "alleged the existence of a contract with [their] members as evidenced by the Constitution of the USC-SJ. " Dkt. Home [www.ogcphasj.org] College of Freemasonry - aasrphasj.org This year, in Jacksonville, FL, during our 136th Annual Session, on Oct. 7, 2022 - Oct. 11, 2022, our Subli Despite extensive discovery and briefing on this issue, the best evidence of infringement Plaintiffs can provide is a deposition in which one of the Defendants states that Defendants have drafted a Constitution, which is not yet final and has not been distributed to members. Consistory in our Supreme Council). 1963) ("[A] court, unquestionably, has the right to relieve a party of his judicial admission if it appears that the admitted fact is clearly untrue and that the party was laboring under a mistake when he made the admission. Elected Officers of The United Supreme Council in October 1895. 182; Dkt. 1875 and 1895 the office of M. P. Sov. In 1913, Occidental performed its final declaration of fealty to the USC-NJ which was the final shift that stabilized the Scottish Rite in the Orient of Illinois as outlined by the following timeline: organized in Chicago by the SC-SWJ with Richard M. Hancock as Commander-In-Chief, Northern Jurisdiction organized by consolidation of KDSC and KFSC, Southern Jurisdiction organized by consolidation of SC-SWJ and SC-SJ, Organized as the second African American Consistory in Chicago by the USSC, Northwest Jurisdiction organized by Milton Fields who was expelled from the USC-NJ and USC-SJ, John G. Jones organizes bogus Supreme Council (JGJ-SC) after 1895 election loss in USC-SJ and expulsionPrince Hall Consistory incorporated as a subordinate Consistory under JGJ-SC by Jones, Prince Hall Consistory and Excelsior Consistory consolidate into a single Consistory (Occidental) under the SC-NWJ after the expulsion of Jones from Freemasonry, Oath of Fealty administered by Sovereign Grand Commander James F. Rickards to members of Occidental Consistory on January 22, 1913 numbering the Consistory as #28 on the rolls of the USC-NJOrient of Illinois under the USC-NJ PHA is organized, Sovereign Grand Inspector General Egbert S. Dickerson, Sovereign Grand Inspector General Richard E. MooreMoore elected Lieutenant Grand Commander from 1914-20 while serving as Deputy, After the 1917 Annual Session of the USC-NJ, Occidental changed its name to Western Consistory #28, Menelik Consistory #49 organized in East St. Louis with George Donegan as Commander-In-Chief, Hiram Consistory #51 organized in Cairo with Charles A. Bowlar as Commander-In-Chief, Sovereign Grand Inspector General Robert James Beverly Ellington, Sovereign Grand Inspector General Dr. Walter N. Thomas, Tyree Consistory #64 organized in East St. Louis with B.B.
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