Members of a Satanist group led by Michael Stewart were arrested after a fight broke out at the Kansas Statehouse when Stewart attempted to hold a Black Mass in the rotunda. Stewart was seen punching a counter-protester in a video before being tackled and handcuffed by Kansas Highway Patrol officers. He was released on a $1,000 bond for charges of disorderly conduct and unlawful assembly. Stewart’s nonprofit group is described as an independent and nondenominational Satanic church.
The event initially drew little attention until allegations surfaced that Stewart had stolen consecrated bread from a local Catholic Church. About 30 members of Stewart’s group gathered outside the statehouse to protest what they called favoritism toward Christians. Christian counter-protesters arrived to sing hymns and urge the Satanists to accept Jesus. Kansas Governor Laura Kelly temporarily banned protests inside the statehouse after Catholic groups pressured her to stop the Black Mass, calling it a despicable act of anti-Catholic bigotry.
Pastor Jeremiah Hicks of The Cure Church warned against allowing the Black Mass event, citing biblical teachings about Satan coming to steal, kill, and destroy. However, followers of the Satanic Grotto argued that the event was about free speech. Stewart’s wife, Maenad Bee, stated that he was only exercising his First Amendment rights. Two other followers, Jocelyn Frazee and Sean Anderson, were also arrested for unlawful assembly, while a Christian counter-protester, Marcus Schroeder, was arrested for disorderly conduct. Karla Delgado, who attempted to stop Stewart’s Satanic ceremony, reported chaos causing her 4-year-old daughter to be knocked down.
Frazee had no bond set, and Anderson’s bond information was unavailable at the time of publication. Stewart’s group had scheduled the event thinking lawmakers would be in session, and he hinted that they may return for “un-baptisms” in the Capitol. However, the Satanic Grotto did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the incident. The situation at the Kansas Statehouse highlights clashes between religious groups and the First Amendment rights to free speech, sparking controversy and arrests.
Overall, the incident involving the attempted Black Mass at the Kansas Statehouse resulted in arrests of the leader of the Satanic group, Michael Stewart, and several of his followers. The clash at the statehouse between the Satanists and Christian counter-protesters led to chaos and allegations of theft of religious symbols. The event highlighted tensions between religious groups and the protection of free speech rights under the First Amendment. Gov. Laura Kelly imposed a temporary ban on protests in response to pressure from Catholic groups, citing concerns of anti-Catholic bigotry. Despite differing viewpoints on the event, it remains a controversial issue at the intersection of religion and free speech rights.
