A leader of a Satanist group, Michael Stewart, along with three others, was arrested after a dispute broke out at the Kansas Statehouse when Stewart attempted to hold a Black Mass in the rotunda. Stewart, who leads the Kansas City-area Satanic Grotto, was arrested after video footage showed him assaulting a counter-protester who attempted to take his script. He was released on $1,000 bond for disorderly conduct and unlawful assembly after being tackled and handcuffed by Kansas Highway Patrol officers while shouting, “Hail, Satan!”
Stewart’s nonprofit group describes itself as an “independent and nondenominational Satanic church.” The event drew attention after allegations emerged that Stewart had stolen consecrated bread from a local Catholic Church for use in the Black Mass. About 30 group members gathered outside the statehouse to protest what they viewed as favoritism toward Christians. In response, hundreds of Christian counter-protesters sang hymns and urged them to “accept Jesus.” Kansas Governor Laura Kelly temporarily banned protests inside for the day, following pressure from Catholic groups.
Pastor Jeremiah Hicks of The Cure Church in Kansas City, Kansas, warned against allowing the event to take place, stating that dedicating a state to Satan would bring death. Meanwhile, Satanic Grotto followers argued that the event was a matter of free speech. Stewart’s wife, Maenad Bee, defended her husband’s actions as exercising his First Amendment rights. Two of Stewart’s followers, Jocelyn Frazee and Sean Anderson, were arrested for unlawful assembly, with Frazee having no bond set at the time of publication.
Marcus Schroeder, a Christian counter-protester who attempted to disrupt Stewart’s script, was also arrested for disorderly conduct. His bond was set at $1,000. Karla Delgado, who attended the event with her three young children, stated that they tried to intervene when they saw no one stopping Stewart’s Satanic ceremony. Unfortunately, her 4-year-old daughter was knocked down amidst the chaos. Stewart hinted at the possibility of returning for future events such as “un-baptisms” at the Capitol, suggesting that the group may return despite the current backlash.
The Catholic Church condemned the planned Black Mass as an act of anti-Catholic bigotry, prompting Governor Kelly to issue an order on March 12 to halt the event, effectively banning Stewart and his followers from conducting their ceremony. Governor Kelly emphasized the importance of finding constructive ways to express disagreements without insulting or denigrating sacred religious symbols. The Satanic Grotto did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital. Additionally, the Navy veteran who had been previously charged with a hate crime for smashing a Satanic statue at the Iowa State Capitol received support from conservatives.
