Satanist leader and others arrested at Kansas Statehouse amid religious rallies

Kansas Highway Patrol officers arrested multiple people during competing rallies by Christians and Satanists at the Statehouse in Topeka.

Michael Stewart, the leader of the Satanic Grotto, was led away by law enforcement after an altercation at the rotunda of the first floor of the Capitol building. He was arrested on suspicion of disorderly conduct and unlawful assembly.

Also arrested was Marcus Jeremiah Jared Schroeder, who was punched in the face by Stewart. That happened after Schroeder reached for a paper Stewart was holding while reciting a Satanic verse. Schroeder was arrested on suspicion of disorderly conduct.

Schroeder is a Christian anti-abortion and anti-homosexuality activist who was previously pled guilty to disorderly conduct for his actions at an LGBTQ pride rally in Wisconsin

Shawnee County Jail records showed Jocelyn Krysteen Frazee and Sean Anderson were arrested on suspicion of unlawful assembly. They were on the Satanist side of the rally. The Kansas Highway Patrol confirmed that they will submit the cases to the District Attorney’s Office for review.

A Capitol Police officer said there were four total arrests, all made by Capitol Police and members of the Kansas Highway Patrol.

The altercation happened amid competing religious rallies at the Statehouse on March 28. It had been scheduled to be the last day of the regular legislative session, but lawmakers wrapped up their work the night before.

Satanists held a black mass on the east steps of the Capitol building, while Catholics prayed and sang songs at the south steps as another group of Christians yelled back and forth with the Satanists.

(This story was updated to add new information.)

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Satanist leader arrested after throwing punch at Kansas Statehouse