Religious freedom in America under fire again..
In a move that has ignited a fierce debate over religious freedom and civil liberties, the State of Kansas has denied a permit request from the Satanic Grotto for a planned ‘Witching Hour’ protest at the Kansas Statehouse in Topeka. This decision, announced on July 2, 2025, has been met with strong condemnation from the Satanic Grotto, who characterize it as a clear act of religious discrimination and an attempt to suppress constitutional rights.
The incident highlights ongoing tensions between religious minority groups and state authorities, raising critical questions about the equitable application of laws concerning public assembly and freedom of expression.
The proposed ‘Witching Hour’ protest was scheduled to take place from 9 p.m. to midnight on Saturday, August 2, on the south steps of the Statehouse. However, state officials cited “safety concerns” and the availability of Kansas Highway Patrol resources during the late-night hours as primary reasons for the denial.
Michael Stewart, president of the Satanic Grotto, vehemently rejected these justifications, asserting that the denial is a “discriminatory act, a blatant attempt to suppress constitutional rights, and a clear pattern of targeting minority religious and activist groups.” He further stated, “This isn’t just a permit denial; it’s an outright cancellation of our right to protest, fueled by what appears to be a deeply biased agenda.”
The state’s denial letter, signed by Adam C. Proffitt, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Administration, also referenced a previous event, the Satanic Grotto’s ‘Black Mass’ on March 28, 2025, at the Statehouse. The letter claimed that “improper acts” occurred during this event and stipulated that any future applications for Satanic Grotto-sponsored events would need to be made by someone other than Stewart.
Stewart, however, provided a different account of the March 2025 event, stating that his group was “the victim of unprovoked violence perpetrated by known Christian extremists” and that members were “unlawfully arrested after acting in self-defense, with no charges ever pursued.” He views the requirement for someone other than himself to apply for future permits as “an unconstitutional attempt to de-platform a specific individual.”
