A Satanic Temple exhibit inside the Iowa State Building was vandalized Thursday, according to police.
An Iowa State Police spokesperson told Fox News Digital that Michael Cassidy, 35, was arrested after allegedly tearing down the Iowa Satanic Temple’s Baphomet display.
He was charged with a 4th degree felony.
In a text message to Fox News Digital, Cassidy confirmed he tore down the satanic display, which was erected last week by The Satanic Temple of Iowa to represent the group’s right to religious freedom.
“It’s very anti-Christian,” Cassidy told Fox News Digital when asked why he tore down the statue.
Cassidy previously ran an unsuccessful campaign in 2022 to unseat Rep. Michael Guest, R-Miss.
Michael Cassidy’s demolished display of Satan at the Iowa Capitol is seen here. @charliekirk11 / X
The former congressional candidate did not explain why he tore up the statue, but posted a Bible verse Thursday night to X after being charged.
“1 Peter 5:8 KJV Be awake, be on your guard; for your enemy, the Devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour,” he wrote.
In a Facebook post, The Satanic Temple of Iowa wrote that the display “is beyond repair.”
Michael Cassidy was arrested after allegedly tearing down the Iowa Satanic Temple’s Baphomet exhibit. Michael Cassidy / X
“We ask that safety, visitors go together and use the 7 Tenets as a reminder for empathy, in the knowledge that justice is being carried out the right way, through the means of the law,” the group wrote. “Happy holidays! Hail Satan!”
Iowa Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds criticized the presence of the display, but said it should be countered with more speech.
“Like most Iowans, I find the Satanic Temple display in the Capitol really offensive,” Reynolds said. “In a free society, the best response to offensive speech is more speech, and I encourage all people of faith to join me today in praying over the Capitol and recognizing the Nativity scene that will be on display – the real reason for this season. “
Iowa Republican Gov. opposes the presence of the display, but says it should be countered with more speeches. Rep. Jon Dunwell / X
The co-founder of The Satanic Temple, Lucien Greaves, previously told KCCI Des Moines that the display will remain for two weeks.
“We would really enjoy the opportunity to be represented in a public forum. We don’t have churches on every street corner,” Greaves said. “My feeling is that if people don’t like our displays in public forums, they shouldn’t engage with them. They don’t need to see it.”
Categories: Trending
Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
