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Federal judge orders Iowa to allow Satanic Temple to hold holiday event in the State Capitol
NBC News • • nation
Key Points:
- A federal judge ordered Iowa officials to allow the Satanic Temple Iowa to hold a holiday event in the State Capitol rotunda after years of application denials, citing likely success on free speech grounds.
- The Satanic Temple sued the state, arguing that repeated refusals to permit their holiday event violated their constitutional rights and state law.
- Judge Stephanie M. Rose ruled that concerns about costumes and potential fright to children do not justify excluding the event, and stated the state could apply the same security conditions used for other events.
- The Satanic Temple plans a family-friendly event featuring Krampus costumes, caroling, and ornament-making, rejecting state officials' claims that the costumes posed safety risks.
- Iowa Republican leaders intend to appeal the ruling, continuing the dispute over the Satanic Temple's participation in holiday observances at the Capitol.
