DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) - On Thursday, the Satanic Temple of Iowa announced that their display at the Iowa Capitol had been significantly damaged.

The controversial display, which Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds called “objectionable,” featured a ram’s head covered with mirrors on a mannequin before being damaged.

Organizers say it’s a symbol of their right to religious freedom.

The Satanic Temple of Iowa posted the following message on their Facebook page:

“This morning, we were informed by authorities that the Baphomet statue in our holiday display was destroyed beyond repair. We are proud to continue our holiday display for the next few days that we have been allotted.

We ask that for safety, visitors travel together and use the 7 Tenets as a reminder for empathy, in the knowledge that justice is being pursued the correct way, through legal means.

KCCI has reported that 35-year-old Michael Cassidy of Lauderdale, Mississippi, was charged with Criminal Mischief in the 4th Degree. He has since been released.

Solve et Coagula! Happy Holidays! Hail Satan!”

  • @voidMainVoid
    link
    English
    169 months ago

    They didn’t leave, they were kicked out, and they hijacked and vandalized their chapter’s Facebook page to retaliate. That’s what they’re being sued over.

    • Leraje
      link
      fedilink
      English
      -189 months ago

      That’s what TST’s legal team claimed, sure, but so far after several tries, they’ve failed to prove any of that in court and have lost at every stage. It feels like they’re just continuing to sue to out of vindictiveness. Their legal arguments are bizarre to the point they were advised by a judge they’d do better representing themselves than taking advice from their current legal team.

      There were two FB Groups, one of which was handed back to TST by the defendants after FB, (not the Courts, this was before legal action) asked them to. That was the official chapter Page. The second FB Page didn’t have (as far as I’m aware) any named link to TST at all. I can’t recall exactly what it was called, something like ‘Evergreen Memes For Satanists’.

      Is this really the best legal use for all the donations people make? Chasing a group of people for no substantive reason?

      • @MotoAsh
        link
        English
        139 months ago

        You know how I know you’re full of shit?

        You cannot just keep suing someone over the same problem after you lose. If you “lose at every stage”, you lose pretty fucking quickly! Stop lying on the internet.

        • Leraje
          link
          fedilink
          English
          -129 months ago

          You really need to go read the legal pages on the plaintiffs website I linked to above, it’ll outline it all for you. I concede that, not being American, I might get the terminology wrong, but the basics are correct. They’ve (TST) brought numerous claims and appeals, all of which have failed so far.

          • @[email protected]
            link
            fedilink
            English
            09 months ago

            I like how your position rn is “bro just read the court documents” and everyone still hates you.

            • Leraje
              link
              fedilink
              English
              -29 months ago

              It’s fine - the court documents are right there, accessible to absolutely anyone. If people chose not to read them for whatever reason there’s nothing I can do about that.

              • @[email protected]
                link
                fedilink
                English
                19 months ago

                Could you share a link or explain where to find them please? I’d be interested to read them but I have absolutely no idea how I’d go about accessing USA court documents from Europe.

                • Leraje
                  link
                  fedilink
                  English
                  09 months ago

                  Sure, as I linked to before, the links to each court document is on the queersatanic website.

                  Their website is, as I previously said, a bit of a rabbit hole but basically, the court documents are referenced/linked to in the relevant posting on the QS website.