DES MOINES, Iowa — The Satanic Temple of Iowa has taken issue with the Iowa Department of Administrative Services after an event planned for the Iowa State Capitol rotunda was cancelled.

The event included singing of holiday carols, making ornaments, a costume contest, and a religious ceremony.

According to the Satanic Temple, the state contended that part of the display was obscene, so permission to hold the event was denied.

Matt Kezhaya, the Satanic Temple of Iowa’s attorney, said the state requested information about the content of the celebration. He says it’s more a case of freedom of speech, rather than religious disagreement.

“We have first amendment rights for a reason and our government can’t be picking and choosing what kind of speech it wants to host, they clearly chose,” said Kezhaya. “They said we don’t want this particular speech, you can’t do that.”

The Satanic Temple tried to negotiate having the celebration this coming Saturday, but that didn’t work out.

“My decision stands,” wrote Adam Steen, Director of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services.

Steen was backed in his decision by Governor Kim Reynolds.

“The Iowa State Capitol Complex is a place that is open to the public, where children and families routinely visit. Because of this, the State’s event policy takes into consideration conduct that would be harmful to minors. This satanic event, which specifically targets children, is harmful to minors and so it was denied,” said Governor Reynolds.

The Satanist Temple decided against going to court to get an order to allow the celebration.

“We’re not going get a court order as a matter of practicality. The effort to put together the request to the judge to get a court order that we can hold our event on Saturday,” said Kezhaya. “The juice ain’t worth the squeeze, so we’re better off just filing a suit after the fact saying we want a declaration from the court that our rights were violated.”

A lawsuit could be filed in January.

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