Latest news with #SatanicGrotto
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
The Satanic Grotto sets date for ‘Witching Hour' protest
Context: The above video initially aired on May 29. TOPEKA (KSNT) – The Satanic Grotto has announced a new protest after a 'Black Mass' demonstration in the Kansas Statehouse resulted in its leader, Michael Stewart, being arrested. The new protest The Satanic Grotto has planned for the Statehouse will be called the 'Witching Hour Protest', according to the event listing. The Satanic Grotto said that it will include live music and speeches from community leaders. 'The Grotto calls to all that walk the paths of magic, the moon, and the night,' the Satanic Grotto wrote on social media. 'We will gather together at the halls of power and together our spirit will shatter their walls.' City has spent over $10 million on Hotel Topeka The event will last for three hours and start at 9 p.m. on Aug. 2, according to the event listing. The Satanic Grotto reported that permits are pending and some details may change. 'The goal behind this new one [Witching Hour Protest] I think is to start getting solidarity between these fringe religions and groups here in Kansas that might feel isolated and feel like they don't have any power on their own,' Stewart told 27 News in late May. Officers tackled Michael Stewart, president of the Satanic Grotto, to the floor inside the Kansas Statehouse rotunda on March 28 as he attempted to hold a Black Mass ceremony. He entered the building to hold the event after being warned by Kansas Governor Laura Kelly to move the ceremony to the outer grounds. An officer told Stewart as he entered the Kansas Statehouse that he was welcome to enter the building, but could not hold an event or cause a disruption, or he would be arrested. Another individual who was involved in the physical altercation with Stewart, a 21-year-old man, was also arrested, in addition to a handful of other Satanic Grotto members. Prosecutors haven't filed charges against Stewart at this time. Rainfall reports for northeast Kansas Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay told 27 News that his office has yet to make a decision on whether or not charges will be filed in connection to the Black Mass event on March 28. A total of four people, including Stewart, were arrested as Stewart tried to hold the ceremony inside the Statehouse building. Dozens of Catholics and Christians gathered at the Kansas Statehouse to protest the planned Black Mass. Both Kansas lawmakers and the Catholic Archdiocese of Kansas City condemned the Black Mass in the days leading up allegedly due to the anti-Catholic nature of the ceremony. For more Capitol Bureau news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
More Satanic protests planned for Kansas Statehouse
TOPEKA (KSNT) – A Satanic organization is planning additional protests at the Kansas Statehouse after an earlier 'Black Mass' ceremony turned violent and ended in several arrests. Michael Stewart, president of the Satanic Grotto, said his organization has plans to hold more protests in Topeka in the coming days. Stewart and other participants were arrested during a controversial Black Mass ceremony inside the Kansas Statehouse in March this year, but that isn't deterring Stewart from returning to the home of the state's Legislature. Stewart told Rebekah Chung with 27 News' Capitol Bureau that he is planning to hold other events at the Statehouse soon. One of these includes a 'Witching Hour Protest.' 'Yes, that's what we're working on,' Steward said. 'We're gonna send in a permit here pretty soon for what I like to call the Witching Hour Protest. We'll be showing up here at midnight and we will be inviting not just Satanists but pagans, wiccans.' Former Kickapoo leader pleads guilty to child pornography crime Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay told 27 News earlier this week his office has yet to make a decision on whether or not charges will be filed in connection to the Black Mass event on March 28. Four people, including Stewart, were arrested as Stewart tried to hold the ceremony inside the Statehouse building. The Black Mass sparked controversy in the days leading up to it, especially among Catholic and Christian organizations. Members of the Kansas Legislature and Governor Laura Kelly issued statements as the Black Mass approached with many legislators condemning it. 'The goal behind this new one [Witching Hour Protest] I think is to start getting solidarity between these fringe religions and groups here in Kansas that might feel isolated and feel like they don't have any power on their own,' Stewart said. What new Kansas laws go into effect on July 1, 2025? For more Capitol Bureau news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Kansas satanists plan new protest, won't face charges in Catholic clash at Statehouse
Law enforcement officers inside the Kansas Capitol rotunda tackle and detain Michael Stewart, president of the Satanic Grotto organization, for violating a permit that limited protests to the exterior of the building. Hundreds of Catholics conducted a counter-protest in opposition of Satanic Grotto's presence in Topeka. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA — Members of the Kansas satanist group appear to be off the hook for criminal charges that stemmed from a highly anticipated, hotly criticized black mass demonstration at the Statehouse that resulted in clashes with Catholics and, ultimately, their arrests. Shawnee County prosecutors decided Wednesday not to pursue charges against Michael Stewart, leader of the Satanic Grotto, and two other group members. After the court hearing, Stewart returned to the Statehouse to discuss the details of his next protest with law enforcement. Attracting nationwide attention, Stewart's satanic protest in March drew ire from elected and religious officials. Hundreds gathered at the Statehouse in Topeka on March 28, some in support of the satanic organization, which is a nonprofit not affiliated with the Church of Satan, and others in vehement opposition. About 11:30 a.m., following speeches, prayers, chants and sign-waving on the lawn of the Statehouse in Topeka, Stewart entered the building to perform a satanic ceremony, called the black mass, which can involve desecrating a host. Across the street, a Catholic mass and prayer service took place, where archbishop of Kansas City Joseph Naumann lambasted nonbelievers. Naumann also tried to sue Stewart before the protests, falsely accusing him of stealing a consecrated host. Stewart had a permit to demonstrate outside on Statehouse grounds and was warned as he entered the building that any protest would violate that permit. He walked to the first-floor rotunda, accompanied by supporters, reporters and watchful counter-protestors and began a dedication to Satan. A man and woman with young children interrupted him, physically intervening. Stewart turned away, and then a counter-protestor, Marcus Schroeder, attempted twice to grab papers from Stewart's hands. On Schroeder's second reach, Stewart punched him twice in the face before a law enforcement officer took his legs out from underneath him. Stewart and two supporters were booked in jail and charged with unlawful gathering. Stewart faced an additional charge of disorderly conduct. At a hearing Wednesday, county prosecutors said they don't plan to pursue charges at this time, Stewart told Kansas Reflector. However, the statute of limitations lasts five years. A call to the Shawnee County District Attorney's Office seeking confirmation of the charges was not immediately returned Wednesday. After the hearing, Stewart traveled a few blocks to the Capitol building, where he talked about plans for a nighttime protest in August with a law enforcement officer to preemptively soothe any concerns. Planned for early August, Stewart envisions the 'Witches Hour Protest' taking place from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. on the Statehouse's south lawn. He plans to extend the invitation to Wiccans, pagans and 'any kind of witchy inclined hippie we can find.' 'We're happy that we're able to get back at it,' Stewart said. He added the members of the grotto have been 'restless,' as they awaited their fate.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
The Satanic Grotto said charges not being pursued
Video aired on March 28. TOPEKA (KSNT) – The Satanic Grotto said that charges aren't being pursued after some of its members and its leader were arrested while attempting to hold a 'Black Mass' ceremony in the Kansas Statehouse. According to the social media post from The Satanic Grotto, its members were facing potential charges of disorderly conduct and unlawful gathering. The Satanic Grotto said all of its members who were arrested were released from their bonds. The state does have the ability to refile those charges for the next five years, however, our lawyers seem confident this isn't likely. More likely this is meant to be held over our heads and discourage us for more actions at the state capitol building. That said stay tuned for our next protest at the State Capitol building coming soon this one's going to be awesome. The Satanic Grotto wrote on Facebook Family cleaning up after car smashes into Topeka home On March 28, officers tackled Michael Stewart, president of the Satanic Grotto, to the floor inside the statehouse rotunda as he attempted to hold a Black Mass ceremony. He entered the building to hold the event after being warned by Kansas Governor Laura Kelly to move the ceremony to the outer grounds. An officer told Stewart as he entered the Kansas Statehouse that he was welcome to enter the building but could not hold an event or cause a disruption or he would be arrested. The other individual who was involved in the physical altercation with Stewart, a 21-year-old man, was also arrested in addition to a handful of other Satanic Grotto members. Prosecutors haven't filed charges against him at this time. Stewart had just started the Black Mass ceremony inside the Kansas Statehouse in the rotunda area when a counter-protester entered into a physical altercation with him. Officers could be seen taking Stewart to the floor as he shouted that he was not resisting. He was then led away from the area shouting, 'Hail Satan. I dedicate this building to Satan.' Wamego highway closure will result in nearly 30-mile detour for drivers Dozens of Catholics and Christians gathered at the Kansas Statehouse to protest the planned Black Mass. Both Kansas lawmakers and the Catholic Archdiocese of Kansas City condemned the Black Mass in the days leading up allegedly due to the anti-Catholic nature of the ceremony. My office has not made any charging decisions regarding these events. Once the investigation is completed, the findings will be submitted to my office for review. At that time, we will evaluate the evidence and determine whether criminal charges are appropriate. District Attorney Mike Kagay For more Capitol Bureau news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Topeka protest attracts hundreds to the Kansas Statehouse
Context: Above video shows President Donald Trump announcing reciprocal tariffs as part of the 'Liberation Day' event on April 2. TOPEKA (KSNT) – Hundreds of protesters gathered at the Kansas Statehouse grounds on Saturday and a march through downtown Topeka. Numerous people were at the Kansas Statehouse on April 5 to protest against the administration of President Donald Trump. Protestors waved flags and held up signs associated with political organizations and sexual orientations on the south side of the Kansas Statehouse building. The protest is part of a nationwide event being held at other state capitals around the country. Oklahoma man charged in killing of Kansas priest 27 News spoke with Christie Peterson, one of the organizers for the '50-50-1' protest, about what the rally is all about. She said the protest is part of a non-violent grassroots movement calling the Trump Administration to uphold the U.S. Constitution. 'This is a grassroots movement that started with a call in early February for there to be fifty protests in fifty state capitals all on the same day,' Peterson said. WATCH: Satanic Grotto leader taken away in handcuffs at the Kansas Statehouse Peterson said this is the fourth 50-50-1 protest that has been held in Kansas so far this year which has attracted supporters from other established groups affiliated with the Women's March and the Indivisible Project. She said there will likely be additional protests in the future. 'Unfortunately, this is not and cannot be a one-and-done,' Peterson said. 'As long as people are being grabbed off the street, people fired without approval from Congress…. As long as all those things are not the way our country is supposed to be happening we'll be protesting.' The Trump Administration is drawing criticism this year over large layoffs of federal employees, increased use of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to enforce the nation's immigration laws and recent application of tariffs. Kansas gov. vetoes six bills Friday, allows for two new laws For more Capitol Bureau news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
