IOWA’S NEWS LEADER. NEW AT SIX, THE SATANIC TEMPLE OF IOWA SAYS THE STATE VIOLATED ITS CIVIL RIGHTS BY NOT ALLOWING THE GROUP TO HOLD AN EVENT AT THE STATEHOUSE. LAST DECEMBER, THE ACLU FILED A CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLAINT TODAY ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP. THE COMPLAINT SAYS THE IOWA DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES, QUOTE, CONSPIRED TO PROHIBIT US FROM ACCESS THE STATE CAPITOL ON EQUAL TERMS TO OTHER FAITHS AND SECULAR GROUPS. END QUOTE, vlog TOLD YOU THE STATE SAID IT REFUSED TO ALLOW THE WINTER CELEBRATION AND CEREMONY BECAUSE IT WAS, QUOTE, HARMFUL TO MINORS. TONIGHT, THE GROUP SAYS IT PROVIDED INFORMATION TO THE STATE TO SHOW IT WAS A FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENT. STATE OFFICIALS MADE A NUMBER OF OUTLANDISH ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT OUR RELIGION AND USED THOSE ASSUMPTIONS TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST OUR CONGREGATION. WE ARE COMPASSIONATE AND CARING HUMAN BEINGS. WE HAVE FAMILIES. WE ARE IOWANS, AND WE ARE SIMPLY SEEKING TO EXERCISE OUR RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF RELIGION. vlog TOLD YOU IN APRIL, THE ACLU OF IOWA SAID IT WAS SUING THE GOVERNOR FOR DOCUMENTS ABOUT THE DECISION TO DENY THIS EVENT. IT CLAIMS THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE WAS REFUSING TO HAND OVER THOSE DOCUMENTS, CITING EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE. IN A STATEMENT, THE GOVERNOR STOOD BEHIND THE DECISION TO CANCEL THE EVENT, SAYING, QUOTE, THIS SATANIC EVENT, WHICH SPECIFICALLY TARGETED CHILDREN WOULD HAVE BEEN HARMFUL TO MINORS.
ACLU of Iowa files discrimination complaint on behalf of Satanic Temple
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Updated: 9:14 PM CDT Jun 10, 2025
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The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Iowa has filed a complaint against the state over what it calls religious discrimination against The Satanic Temple (TST).The ACLU says it filed the complaint with the Iowa Office of Civil Rights. The complaint is against the Iowa Department of Administrative Services, its director, and the Iowa governor's office, according to a news release.Mortimer Adramelech, the Minister of Satan of the Iowa TST congregation, provided a statement as part of the news release:"In our application, we made it clear that our celebration, like our congregation, would be family-friendly and follow our seven tenets, which include compassion, empathy, justice, bodily autonomy, respect for others' freedom, respect for scientific fact, and doing your best to resolve mistakes when you make them. That’s what our complaint is all about: we’re looking for resolution."The complaint revolves around a 2024 incident in which an application for a religious display at the Iowa Capitol Rotunda was denied. In 2023, a TST display in the Capitol was destroyed by a Mississippi man who was later charged with a hate crime. He later took a plea deal to a reduced charge. The display and its destruction caused controversy, and Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds called the display "absolutely objectionable."A year later, the state canceled the TST winter celebration and refused to allow it inside the statehouse, saying it was "harmful to minors." The ACLU of Iowa filed a lawsuit in April seeking the release of documents related to that decision.This complaint is separate from the April lawsuit.» Subscribe to vlog's YouTube page» Download the free vlog app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play
DES MOINES, Iowa — The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Iowa has filed a complaint against the state over what it calls religious discrimination against The Satanic Temple (TST).
The ACLU says it filed the complaint with the Iowa Office of Civil Rights. The complaint is against the Iowa Department of Administrative Services, its director, and the Iowa governor's office, according to a news release.
Mortimer Adramelech, the Minister of Satan of the Iowa TST congregation, provided a statement as part of the news release:
"In our application, we made it clear that our celebration, like our congregation, would be family-friendly and follow our seven tenets, which include compassion, empathy, justice, bodily autonomy, respect for others' freedom, respect for scientific fact, and doing your best to resolve mistakes when you make them. That’s what our complaint is all about: we’re looking for resolution."
The complaint revolves around a 2024 incident in which an application for a religious display at the Iowa Capitol Rotunda was denied.
In 2023, a TST display in the Capitol was destroyed by a Mississippi man who was later charged with a hate crime. He later took a plea deal to a reduced charge. The display and its destruction caused controversy, and Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds called the display "absolutely objectionable."
A year later, the state canceled the TST winter celebration and refused to allow it inside the statehouse, saying it was "harmful to minors." The ACLU of Iowa filed a lawsuit in April seeking the release of documents related to that decision.
This complaint is separate from the April lawsuit.
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