A federal judge has cleared the way for The Satanic Temple to hold a one-day holiday event in Iowa's state Capitol building in December, overruling years of opposition from Republican leaders. The ruling, handed down Monday, allows the group to proceed with its planned celebration after officials repeatedly rejected its applications.
For years, state officials argued that the group's proposed displays and activities, including a planned costume contest featuring Krampus, violated rules against excessive violence and obscene material. Former Department of Administrative Services director Adam Steen had stated that the event involved "no more marketing to children" and "no more trying to get them to create Satanic symbols, sing Satanic hymns, partake in Satanic rituals."
The Satanic Temple filed a lawsuit in August against the Iowa Department of Administrative Services, alleging religious discrimination and violations of its constitutional rights to free speech and equal protection. The organization contends that officials repeatedly denied its event applications while approving those of other religious groups.
Despite its name, The Satanic Temple, founded in 2013, states it does not worship Satan but uses the figure as a symbol of personal liberty, religious pluralism, and opposition to authoritarianism. It identifies as a non-theistic religious organization focused on promoting secularism and the separation of church and state.
Chief District Judge Stephanie Rose ruled that The Satanic Temple was likely to prevail in its free speech claim. She dismissed the state's concerns about the Krampus costume potentially frightening children, stating that "Excluding Krampus costumes because they might frighten children, while admitting the season's celebratory displays, targets a perspective on the holiday rather than the holiday itself."
The judge ordered state officials to approve the December 12 gathering within seven days. The event is planned to include costumed Krampus characters, caroling, children's coloring activities, and ornament-making.
Shefali Aurora, ACLU of Iowa staff attorney, stated that state officials "made it clear that they denied TST permission to hold events in the Capitol rotunda because they disagreed with their religious viewpoint." She added, "It is a foundational principle that the government cannot restrict speech in this way, favor one religion over another, or discriminate against religious groups because they don’t agree with them."
Matt Kezhaya, the Satanic Temple's general counsel, asserted the event was "always going to be a family-friendly" affair and that "None of this became 'harmful' just because state officials disapproved of our chosen expression."
The Iowa Attorney General's Office announced plans to appeal the ruling, with a spokesperson for Attorney General Brenna Bird stating that "Families with young children visit the Capitol regularly, especially over the holiday season. The State of Iowa wants the Capitol complex to be safe and welcoming for those kids."
The Satanic Temple is also seeking a permanent injunction and monetary damages. This legal battle follows a previous controversy in December 2023, when the group's Baphomet installation at the Iowa Capitol was vandalized. At the time, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds criticized the display as "absolutely objectionable."