Photo: The Satanic Temple congregation of Iowa's Facebook page
(Des Moines, IA) -- A 35-year-old Mississippi man is accused of vandalizing a Satanic display at the Iowa State Capitol.
The Satanic Temple congregation of Iowa posted the following statement 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."
Iowa State Patrol Sgt. Alex Dinkla released a statement.
"On December 14, 2023, the Iowa State Patrol was dispatched to the Iowa State Capitol on a vandalism report involving the Iowa Satanic Temple's Baphomet display. As a result of the investigation and in consultation with the Polk County Attorney's Office, 35-year-old Michael Cassidy of Lauderdale, Mississippi, was charged with Criminal Mischief in the 4th Degree."
The display made headlines this week when an eastern Iowa lawmaker called for its removal, calling it blasphemous. The Iowa Satanic Temple defended the display, citing religious freedom.