WARNING: This video may contain strong language.
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW/Gray News) – The leader of a Satanic group that sponsored a Black Mass on Friday morning was detained in Kansas Friday.
Authorities in Topeka said Satanic Grotto founder Michael Steward made his way to the security checkpoint at the visitors entrance on the north side of the Kansas Statehouse around 11:30 a.m.
He reportedly said he was entering the Statehouse as a private citizen but not to perform any activities associated with the event.
Law enforcement greeted Stewart at the door and told him he was welcome inside the building but was not allowed to perform any demonstrations.
Individuals representing Christian groups also entered the Statehouse about the same time as Stewart and could be heard reciting the Hail Mary.
Stewart reportedly then made his way to the rotunda, where he held his arms skyward and made a dedication to Satan.
One woman confronted him, saying he was not allowed to do that, while a man approached holding a medallion and praying.
A third person then approached, and he and Stewart began shoving each other.
Capitol Police then intervened and took Stewart into custody. He was escorted to a room in the Statehouse.
A woman there identified herself as Stewart’s wife and said he did nothing wrong.
She said he was merely conducting the ritual as it was originally permitted: to take place inside the Capitol.
She also reportedly accused authorities of hypocrisy for not taking similar action against people who were continuing to recite Christian prayers in the rotunda as her husband was being detained.
Before and during the event, a large crowd with opposing views had gathered outside the Statehouse as the Black Mass was scheduled to take place starting at 11 a.m.
The Black Mass, which had been planned for several weeks, was being organized by members of the Satanic Grotto.
It originally had been planned to take place inside the Statehouse but officials later required it to be restricted to outside the building.
The event had garnered protests from Christian organizations.
On Friday morning, demonstrators on both sides of the issue were yelling at each other as a large police presence was on hand outside the Statehouse, according to local media.
An altercation took place around 11 a.m. Friday when someone from the crowd appeared to have attempted to interrupt the event.
Those protesting the Black Mass were largely kept separate from those who were on hand supporting the event.
Many of the Christians on hand gathered on the south side of the Statehouse, where they heard from several speakers, according to local reports.
A large number of law enforcement officers, including from the Capitol Police and the Kansas Highway Patrol, were on hand to provide security at the event.
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