Satanist leader's attempt to hold 'Black Mass' inside Kansas Statehouse sparks chaos and arrests - WTOP News

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) -- A confrontation erupted at the Kansas Statehouse on Friday involving a small group of self-identified satanists and their leader, Michael Stewart, who was arrested while attempting to conduct a "Black Mass" in the rotunda. Stewart and approximately 30 members from the Kansas City-area Satanic Grotto gathered to advocate for the separation of church and state, protesting what they perceived as state favoritism toward Christian groups which are allowed to hold events indoors.

The planned ceremony attracted a significant counterprotest from Christians, many of whom took issue with the Grotto's satanic themes and rituals, which included a denunciation of Jesus Christ. Around 100 Christians faced off against the Satanic Grotto's rallying space, urging the group to accept Jesus, while additional groups of Christians rallied further away. The scene was heightened by Governor Laura Kelly's temporary ban on protests inside the Statehouse, following pressures from Roman Catholic leaders who condemned the Grotto's event as "anti-Catholic bigotry."

As tensions escalated during the ceremony, Stewart was approached by a young man, Marcus Schroeder, who attempted to take the script from him, leading to a physical altercation. Kansas Highway Patrol troopers intervened, subduing Stewart as he expressed his fervor for the ritual by exclaiming, "Hail, Satan!" Both Stewart and Schroeder were arrested on suspicion of disorderly conduct, each being released on a $1,000 bond.

Members of the Satanic Grotto expressed their commitment to free speech and religious freedoms under the First Amendment, citing that Christian groups regularly conduct prayer meetings inside the Statehouse. Friend of Stewart, Amy Dorsey, emphasized the importance of allowing diverse beliefs to be expressed in public spaces, as many members of the Grotto participate for various reasons, ranging from atheism to personal protest against past church experiences.

The altercation resulted in multiple arrests, although details were sparse regarding any additional detentions. Witness accounts highlighted chaotic moments when a woman, Karla Delgado, sought to intervene, leading to unintended consequences, including the injury of her young daughter. The incident raises ongoing questions of religious expression, state policy, and community reactions in a politically and spiritually charged environment.