A federal judge ordered Iowa to allow the Satanic Temple's Capitol holiday event
A federal judge ordered Iowa officials to approve the Satanic Temple’s holiday event in the state Capitol rotunda, scheduled for Dec. 12, after the state denied its application three years in a row. U.S. District Judge Stephanie Rose found the group likely to succeed on its free-speech claim. The state intends to appeal, Attorney General Brenna Bird’s office said.
More context
A federal judge ordered Iowa to let the Satanic Temple hold its one-day holiday event in the state Capitol rotunda on Dec. 12, finding the group likely to succeed on its free-speech claim. Chief District Judge Stephanie M. Rose issued a preliminary injunction on Monday, directing Iowa Department of Administrative Services Director Mark Campbell to approve the application within seven days. The department denied permits in 2024, 2025 and 2026, citing a planned Krampus costume contest and concerns that costumes could frighten children. Rose said those concerns did not justify excluding the event, and concerns about props did not warrant denying the entire program. The Satanic Temple and the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa sued in August, alleging discrimination. The ruling does not resolve the lawsuit. Jen Green, a spokeswoman for Attorney General Brenna Bird, said Iowa intends to appeal.
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Reporting
- Telegraph Herald — Federal judge orders Iowa to allow Satanic Temple to hold one-day holiday event in the state Capitol | National | telegraphherald.com
- Newser — Judge Orders Iowa to Allow Satanic Temple Event in Capitol
- CBS2 Iowa — Judge allows Satanic Temple event at Iowa Capitol
- Des Moines Register — Iowa must allow Satanic Temple holiday event at Capitol, judge rules
- middletownpress.com — Federal judge orders Iowa to allow Satanic Temple to hold one-day holiday event in the state Capitol
- couriernews.com (with Associated Press) — Federal judge orders Iowa to allow Satanic Temple to hold one-day holiday event in the state Capitol | National | couriernews.com
Verifier’s note
Middletown Press, Telegraph Herald, Courier News, Newser, CBS2 Iowa, and the Des Moines Register all report that a federal judge ordered Iowa to allow the Satanic Temple’s holiday event at the Capitol. The CBS2 Iowa and Des Moines Register reports are separate from the AP report carried by the other outlets.