Organizers say the Baphomet statue was destroyed.

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!”

  • LerajeEnglish
    1·
    11 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@lemmy.worldEnglish
      15·
      11 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.

      • LerajeEnglish
        1·
        11 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.

        • Dempf@lemmy.zipEnglish
          5·
          11 months ago

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

          • LerajeEnglish
            2·
            11 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.

            • reisono_@ttrpg.networkEnglish
              1·
              11 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.

              • LerajeEnglish
                1·
                11 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.