DES MOINES, Iowa — A satanic display in the Iowa State Capitol has been at the center of a debate about free speech and First Amendment rights this week.
Though the display was built with the state’s full permission, many people have disagreed with the display’s message, leading a Mississippi man to allegedly vandalize it.
After a nativity scene was installed in the capitol Tuesday, just steps away from the Satanic Temple's display, opinions have come in from all over.
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds released a statement about the display, stating that she finds it “absolutely objectionable." However, she did not call for the display to be removed.
"I encourage all those of faith to join me today in praying over the Capitol and recognizing the nativity scene that will be on display – the true reason for the season," Reynolds added earlier this week.
Lucien Greaves, co-founder of the Satanic Temple, spoke to Local 5 about what the display stands for.
"The First Amendment is very important in our ability to be able to identify how we do and coexist peacefully with people while being openly about who we are," Greaves said. "That's why we are often seeking representation in public forums."
Presidential candidate Ron DeSantis also weighed in on the display while holding a town hall in Des Moines earlier this week.
"We’re gonna recognize Satan as a religion? That’s wrong," Desantis said, adding that it likely wouldn't have stayed up in Florida.
Opposition came to a tipping point Thursday as the temple shared that their holiday display had been destroyed.
"It's easy to denigrate us, it's so much harder to stand up for the constitution and stand up for our right to speak whether you agree with us or disagree with us," Greaves said.
The Iowa Department of Public Safety charged 35-year-old Michael Cassidy of Mississippi with fourth-degree criminal mischief in connection to the event.
Cassidy shared on X, the website formerly known as Twitter, that he was actively seeking donations for future legal defense. He did not respond to Local 5’s request for comment on why he allegedly vandalized the display.
The Satanic Temple of Iowa initially planned to take down the display today, but now say it will remain up in the capitol until this weekend.
"People really need to understand what public forums are, what public facilities are, what the limits of government are and why that's a good thing again," Greaves said.
Local 5 also reached out the Iowa State Patrol for more information on the vandalization, but has not yet received a response.