Satanic Leader Arrested After Altercation During 'Black Mass' at Kansas Statehouse

Michael Stewart, leader of the Satanic Grotto, was detained for disorderly conduct after punching a counter-protester during an attempted ceremony inside the Statehouse.

Michael Stewart, president of the Satanic Grotto, was arrested for disorderly conduct and unlawful assembly after attempting to perform a 'Black Mass' in the Kansas Statehouse rotunda.
The altercation began when a counter-protester tried to grab an object from Stewart's hand, prompting Stewart to respond with punches before being tackled by law enforcement.
Governor Laura Kelly had issued a directive banning protests inside the Statehouse for the day, but Stewart defied the order, leading to his arrest and brief detention before being released on bond.
Hundreds of Christian protesters gathered outside the Statehouse to oppose the event, far outnumbering the roughly 30 Satanic Grotto supporters present.
The event has reignited discussions about religious freedom, free speech, and the separation of church and state, with both sides citing constitutional rights to justify their actions.