‘It was just chaos’: Satanic leader detained after fight breaks out at the Capitol
TOPEKA, Kan. (KCTV) - A Satanic Grotto leader was detained as a fight broke out following a Black Mass.
Around 11:30 a.m. Friday, Satanic Grotto founder Michael Stewart left the peaceful protests outside the Capitol and walked into the visitor’s center.
Police greeted Stewart at the door, telling him he was welcome inside the building, but he could not perform any demonstrations.
“I understand, sir, thank you,” Stewart responded.
Cameras followed Stewart as Christians and Catholics prayed over him as he walked past them to the rotunda.
That’s when he took out a piece of paper and started chanting rituals. People tried to stop him, yelling at him.
Marcus Schroeder, 21, grabbed the paper out of his hands, and Stewart threw two punches, hitting him in the face.
Stewart was detained immediately on the ground and taken into a room in the Capitol.
Schroeder was also taken into a room for questioning but wasn’t detained at first. His family later tells KCTV5 that he was arrested and charged with Disorderly Conduct.
“Marcus was unjustly arrested after being violently assaulted, justice must be served,” the family wrote in a GoFundMe.
As of Friday evening, police have not released an update on Stewart.
“It was just chaos,” said Karla Delgado, who was one of the people who first confronted Stewart in the Capitol. “I told him you can’t do that.
Delgado’s daughter was trampled in the altercation but is okay.
“It’s an injustice, it’s an injustice. It really is because it’s either we all play by the rules, or nobody plays by the rules,” Delgado said.
Maenad Bee, Steward’s wife, told KCTV5 that this was a display of hypocrisy and that he didn’t do anything wrong.
“There is no reason he should be in custody right now,” Bee said. “There are literally people praying over there. That is completely inappropriate. If we have to go outside, so should that group of Catholics who are praying right now.”
The Black Mass had been planned for some time. Stewart described the event as an “act of rebellion” to raise awareness about the importance of religious freedom.
Originally, it was going to be held inside, but Governor Laura Kelly moved it outside after backlash from the public. She sent out a statement leading up to the event, making it clear that while everyone has freedom of speech, no protests or demonstrations can be held inside.
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