Additional Coverage:
- Satanic leader arrested after Black Mass, scuffle at Kansas Statehouse: ‘A despicable act’ (foxnews.com)
Chaos Erupts at Kansas Statehouse as Satanic Protest Turns Violent
A planned Black Mass demonstration at the Kansas Statehouse ended in multiple arrests Friday, including the leader of a Satanic group, after a clash with Christian counter-protesters. Michael Stewart, head of the Kansas City-area Satanic Grotto, was arrested for disorderly conduct and unlawful assembly after allegedly punching a counter-protester who attempted to seize his script.
Video footage shows officers tackling and handcuffing Stewart as he shouted, “Hail, Satan!” He was later released on $1,000 bond.
The incident began when Stewart and approximately 30 members of his group gathered outside the statehouse to protest what they perceived as favoritism towards Christians. They were met by hundreds of Christian counter-protesters singing hymns and encouraging the Satanic group to “accept Jesus.”
The situation escalated after Stewart allegedly attempted to perform a Black Mass inside the rotunda. Governor Laura Kelly had previously issued a temporary ban on protests inside the statehouse for the day, following pressure from Catholic groups who condemned the planned Black Mass as “a despicable act of anti-Catholic bigotry.”
Two other members of the Satanic Grotto, Jocelyn Frazee and Sean Anderson, were also arrested for unlawful assembly. A counter-protester, Marcus Schroeder, was arrested for disorderly conduct after allegedly trying to take Stewart’s script.
All were arrested and bond was set at $1,000 for Stewart and Schroeder. Bond information for Frazee and Anderson was unavailable.
One counter-protester, Karla Delgado, who attended with her three young children, said she tried to intervene when she saw no one stopping the ceremony. In the ensuing chaos, her 4-year-old daughter was knocked down.
The Satanic Grotto describes itself as an “independent and nondenominational Satanic church.” Stewart claimed the event drew little initial attention until accusations arose that he stole consecrated bread from a local Catholic church for the Black Mass.
He also stated that the group scheduled the event believing lawmakers would be in session and hinted at future actions, including possible “un-baptisms” at the Capitol. Pastor Jeremiah Hicks of The Cure Church in Kansas City warned against the event, stating that “dedicating a state to Satan” is “dedicating it to death.”
Stewart’s wife, Maenad Bee, maintained that he was simply “exercising his First Amendment rights.”