The Satanic Grotto said charges not being pursued
TOPEKA (KSNT) - The Satanic Grotto said that charges aren't being pursued after some of its members and its leader were arrested while attempting to hold a "Black Mass" ceremony in the Kansas Statehouse.
According to the social media post from The Satanic Grotto, its members were facing potential charges of disorderly conduct and unlawful gathering. The Satanic Grotto said all of its members who were arrested were released from their bonds.
The state does have the ability to refile those charges for the next five years, however, our lawyers seem confident this isn't likely. More likely this is meant to be held over our heads and discourage us for more actions at the state capitol building. That said stay tuned for our next protest at the State Capitol building coming soon this one's going to be awesome.
The Satanic Grotto wrote on Facebook
On March 28, officers tackled Michael Stewart, president of the Satanic Grotto, to the floor inside the statehouse rotunda as he attempted to hold a Black Mass ceremony. He entered the building to hold the event after being warned by Kansas Governor Laura Kelly to move the ceremony to the outer grounds. An officer told Stewart as he entered the Kansas Statehouse that he was welcome to enter the building but could not hold an event or cause a disruption or he would be arrested.
The other individual who was involved in the physical altercation with Stewart, a 21-year-old man, was also arrested in addition to a handful of other Satanic Grotto members. Prosecutors haven't filed charges against him at this time.
Stewart had just started the Black Mass ceremony inside the Kansas Statehouse in the rotunda area when a counter-protester entered into a physical altercation with him. Officers could be seen taking Stewart to the floor as he shouted that he was not resisting. He was then led away from the area shouting, “Hail Satan. I dedicate this building to Satan.”
Dozens of Catholics and Christians gathered at the Kansas Statehouse to protest the planned Black Mass. Both Kansas lawmakers and the Catholic Archdiocese of Kansas City condemned the Black Mass in the days leading up allegedly due to the anti-Catholic nature of the ceremony.
My office has not made any charging decisions regarding these events. Once the investigation is completed, the findings will be submitted to my office for review. At that time, we will evaluate the evidence and determine whether criminal charges are appropriate.
District Attorney Mike Kagay
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