A Christian U.S. Navy veteran has been charged with a hate crime after admitting to beheading a Satanic Temple statue on display at the Iowa State Capitol in December.
Michael Cassidy was originally charged with a misdemeanor on Dec. 15, but the Polk County Attorney’s Office shown A Mississippi man admitted he “destroyed the building because of the victim.” [the Satanic Temple] Because of his religion, the charge was upgraded to “third-degree criminal violation of personal rights, a class D felony.”
Prosecutors said the cost to repair or replace the damaged statue would be between $750 and $1,500.
“The Polk County Attorney’s Office seeks fair and just resolution of all cases in order to continue to apply the law equally to everyone, regardless of religion, race, sexual orientation, or economic status.” added the official.
Originally created by veterans heading After removing the head from the statue.
breaking news: @RepubSentinel We can reveal that Michael Cassidy, a Christian and military veteran, tore down a Satanic altar at the Iowa State Capitol and cut off its head.https://t.co/rIYIdZOzee pic.twitter.com/tZDsmKM5Pm
— Sentinel (@RepubSentinel) December 14, 2023
Cassidy said: sentinel When he tore down the statue to “awaken Christians to the anti-Christian acts promoted by our government,” he said:
“The world may tell Christians to meekly accept the devil’s justifications, but no one from the Founding Fathers would have allowed the government to sanction a devil’s altar inside the Capitol, which is protected by the First Amendment. I wouldn’t have thought about it,” Cassidy said. “Anti-Christian values have been steadily mainstreamed in recent decades, and Christians have largely acted like frogs in the proverbial boiling pot.”
Police arrested Mr. Cassidy, who turned himself in to officers who were inside the building.
“I was furious when I saw this desecrated statue,” the veteran said. “My conscience is not bound by the dictates of bureaucrats, but by the word of God. So I acted.”
Cassidy’s arraignment is scheduled for February 15th.
of image It was open to the public at the Iowa State Capitol, about 100 feet away from the Christmas tree, KCCI said.
“It was permitted by rules governing religious sites within the Capitol,” the newspaper reported.
Satanic Temple co-founder Lucian Greaves said at the time that the statue was a symbol of religious freedom.
“We really enjoy the opportunity to be represented in the public sphere. Not every street corner has a church,” Greaves said. “My sense is that if people don’t like our displays in public, we don’t need to be involved. They don’t need to see them.”
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, a Republican, came under fire for allowing such a statue to be installed at the state Capitol, but she responded by calling the display “absolutely disgusting.”
stunned
Kim Reynolds was put to the test this week at the Iowa State Capitol to fight back against a shameful and diabolical stunt by the left.
she gave in completely
Another typical politician who does nothing.
— Jack Posobiec 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) December 12, 2023
“Like many Iowans, I find it absolutely disgusting to have a Satanic Temple on display at the Capitol,” Reynolds said. statement. “In a free society, the best response to offensive speech is more speech. I ask all people of faith to join me in praying with me on Capitol Hill today, as Christ is the real reason for this season. We encourage you to be aware that a Nativity scene will be on display.”
