State takes Satanic Temple holiday display battle to appeals court

DES MOINES, Iowa (KCCI) - Iowa officials are asking an appeals court to weigh in on a yearslong dispute over a Satanic Temple holiday display at the state Capitol, KCCI reports.

Monday was the deadline for officials to approve the display after a federal judge ordered them last week to allow it.

The Department of Administrative Services, which reviews requests to use the Capitol, has denied the group’s applications following vandalism of its holiday display in 2023.

According to court documents, the department argues the event could disrupt the Statehouse or harm children. The ACLU of Iowa said the dispute is about free speech.

“We will continue to work to, you know, have our client treated just like every other religious and civic group that presents an application,” said Veronica Lorson Fowler of the ACLU of Iowa.

State leaders are asking an appeals court to make a decision by Thursday.