Satanic Group Leader Arrested Following Controversial Black Mass at Kansas Statehouse

Satanic Group Leader Arrested Following Controversial Black Mass at Kansas Statehouse

A prominent figure from a Kansas-based Satanist organization, along with three associates, faced arrest on Friday following a violent altercation at the Kansas Statehouse. This incident occurred during an attempted Black Mass in the building’s rotunda.

Michael Stewart, who leads the Kansas City-area Satanic Grotto, was apprehended after video footage captured him striking a counter-protester who attempted to seize his script. Law enforcement officials from the Kansas Highway Patrol intervened, restraining and handcuffing Stewart as he shouted pro-Satan slogans.

Stewart later secured his release on a $1,000 bond related to charges of disorderly conduct and unlawful assembly. Observers noted the event’s volatility, which stemmed from deep religious tensions surrounding the planned ritual.

Background on the Controversial Event

The Kansas-based Satanic Grotto describes their organization as an independent, nondenominational Satanic church. Initially, the event garnered limited attention until it surfaced that Stewart allegedly appropriated consecrated bread from a local Catholic Church for use in the Black Mass. This revelation inflamed tensions and drew a more significant response from the public.

Stewart, accompanied by roughly 30 supporters, gathered outside the Statehouse to protest perceived favoritism toward Christian groups. In stark contrast, hundreds of Christian counter-protesters rallied nearby, singing hymns and urging attendees to accept Jesus Christ.

Governor’s Response to Growing Tensions

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly intervened by temporarily banning protests inside the Statehouse that day. This decision followed pressure from Catholic groups who condemned the Black Mass as an act of anti-Catholic bigotry. Issued on March 12, the order specifically targeted Stewart and his followers.

In her public statement regarding the event, Governor Kelly emphasized the importance of respectful discourse and denounced the act as destructive. She stated that there exist more constructive methods for individuals to protest and express dissent without offending sacred religious symbols.

Religious Leaders React to the Incident

Pastor Jeremiah Hicks from The Cure Church in Kansas City voiced strong opposition to the planned Black Mass. He cited biblical principles, asserting that aligning a state with Satan symbolizes a dedication to death. Such sentiments resonated with many who opposed the event, fueling further backlash.

Arguments for Free Speech

Supporters of the Satanic Grotto contended that the Black Mass represented an exercise of free speech. Stewart’s wife, Maenad Bee, defended their actions, emphasizing that her husband was merely practicing his rights protected under the First Amendment.

Alongside Stewart, two other members were also arrested for unlawful assembly. Jocelyn Frazee, 32, had no bond set, while Sean Anderson, 50, faced ambiguous bond information at the time of reporting. Their arrests highlighted ongoing conflicts between differing ideological factions regarding the appropriateness of such events in public spaces.

Counter-Protesters and Charges

In addition to those in support of Stewart, a Christian counter-protester named Marcus Schroeder, 21, was arrested for attempting to confiscate Stewart’s script. His bond was similarly set at $1,000, illustrating the high stakes involved as both groups clashed.

Karla Delgado, a counter-protester who attended with her three young children, revealed her attempts to prevent Stewart’s Satanic ceremony. During the incident, chaos ensued, and her four-year-old daughter was accidentally knocked down.

Looking Ahead: Potential Future Events

Stewart indicated that the Satanic Grotto planned the ritual under the assumption that lawmakers would be present in session. Moreover, he hinted at a possible return, suggesting the organization might consider hosting events such as ‘un-baptisms’ at the Capitol. Such statements could signal ongoing tensions as the group seeks to assert its presence in the public sphere.

The Satanic Grotto has not yet provided a comment regarding the events or the arrests. As these narratives develop, the implications of such incidents continue to generate significant public interest, particularly in the context of First Amendment rights versus community sensitivities.