Mississippi politician Michael Cassidy, 35, is charged with criminal mischief after ‘BEHEADING’ Satanic altar statue inside Iowa State Capitol
A former U.S. Navy pilot and failed congressional candidate has been charged with criminal conduct after allegedly vandalizing a controversial Satanic Temple exhibit at the Iowa State Capitol.
Michael Cassidy, 35, was arrested Thursday morning for tearing down the Baphomet display at the Iowa Satanic Temple, Iowa State Police said. Fox news.
The exhibition featured a statue of Baphomet – a goat-headed figure that represented Satan, along with the seven principles of Satanism, satanic symbols and candles.
Cassidy was charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief after he allegedly ripped off Baphomet's head.
The passionate Christian confirmed his act of destruction in a text message to Fox News, saying he took down the statue because “it was extremely anti-Christian.”
Michael Cassidy, 35, was arrested for allegedly tearing down the Iowa Satanic Temple's Baphomet display Thursday morning
The exhibition featured a statue of Baphomet – a goat-headed figure used to represent Satan, along with the seven principles of Satanism, satanic symbols and many candles
Cassidy was charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief after allegedly ripping off Baphomet's head at the Iowa State Capitol
Cassidy ran an unsuccessful 2022 campaign to replace Rep. Michael Guest in Mississippi's Third Congressional District, but lost the race with 32.6 percent of the vote to Guest's 67.4 percent.
The Sentinel, a conservative news site, launched a defense fund for Cassidy – which raised $20,000 in just three hours before the suspect ordered the campaign paused, saying “we have enough for now.”
After reportedly tearing down the statue, the devout Christian on because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”
The Satanic Temple of Iowa said the exhibit was “irredeemable.”
“We ask that visitors travel together for safety and use the Seven Principles as a reminder of empathy, knowing that justice will be properly pursued, through legal means,” the group wrote. 'Happy Holidays! Hail Satan!'
Iowa's Republican governor, Kim Reynolds, denounced the display but said it should be responded to with more speech.
“Like many Iowans, I find the Satanic Temple exhibit at the Capitol absolutely reprehensible,” Reynolds said.
“In a free society, more speech is the best response to objectionable speech, and I encourage all people of faith to join me today in praying before the Capitol and recognizing the Nativity scene that will be on display – the true reason for this season. '
The passionate Christian confirmed his act of destruction in a text message to Fox News, saying he took down the statue because “it was extremely anti-Christian.”
Iowa's Republican governor, Kim Reynolds, denounced the display but said it should be responded to with more speeches
Meanwhile, social media users are heavily praising Cassidy's actions – even calling him a “hero” and saying “atta boy.”
“May we have more people in power like him,” said one Facebook user.
The Satanic Temple organized the display of a sparkling demonic ram's head at the Iowa Statehouse as an expression of “religious freedom.”
In addition to more traditional menorahs and Christmas trees, the group set up an altar topped with candles, a large banner and a ram figure with a skull covered in mirrors, a red cloak and a wreath.
The Temple reportedly went through all the proper administrative channels for the exhibition, and only their original request to use a real goat skull was denied.
Satanic Temple founder Lucien Greaves told KCCI: “We are really going to enjoy the opportunity to be represented in a public forum. We don't have a church on every street corner.'
The display would remain up for fourteen days and was protected under the First Amendment.
Social media users are heavily praising Cassidy's actions – even calling him a 'hero' and saying 'atta boy'
The Temple reportedly went through all proper administrative channels for the exhibition and only their original request to use a real goat skull was denied
The Satanic Temple of Iowa said their display was “irredeemable.”
Co-founder of The Satanic Temple Lucien Greaves shared CNN: 'They held prayer meetings, they protested against us, they denigrated the local government for following the law and opening the public forum to all viewers and they still felt the need to tear down the statue.
“I think it was a real act of cowardice; it is cowardice dressed up as heroism.”
“Let's be really brave to take a stand for freedom of speech on this issue on both the left and the right.”
Earlier this week, Iowa House Representative Jon Dunwell said on '
He said: “Currently, access to displays in the Capitol is open to all through an application process.
'There are some guidelines, but they do not discriminate on the basis of religion or ideology.
“The Satanic Temple petitioned for their exhibit in August and was approved with some modifications. They wanted to use a real goat's head (I assume a skull) and we are forbidden to do so.'
He reminded people that “the display is an inanimate object that has no real power in itself. We have nothing to fear.'
But added, “I don't want the Capitol to be overrun by demonstrations. In the future, we may need to find ways to appropriately limit the number of displays.”