The controversial satanic holiday display erected outside the New Hampshire State House in Concord was found destroyed Tuesday morning, just days after it was put up by the Satanic Temple of Vermont and New Hampshire.
The display, consisting of a statue of the goat-headed demon Baphomet, a tablet displaying the Satanic Temple’s tenets, and a satanic version of the American flag, was found in three pieces.
The statue’s legs remained standing while the head and torso lay separate on the ground, and the tablet of tenets was shattered.
NH Rep. Ellen Read (D-Newmarket), who assisted the Satanic Temple in erecting the statue, reportedly tried to pick up the pieces after the statue was found destroyed.
“Nobody would have batted an eye two months ago at a mannequin in a goat mask when it was Halloween. Nobody would have been upset,” Rep. Read said peaking to the Concord Monitor. “Two months later its the most offensive thing imaginable.. they just have an emotional reaction and their only response is destroy.”
The same report suggested that, in addition to helping the Satanists get their display approved, Read initially gave them the idea for the display
Someone, either a passerby or the vandal, left a Santa hat, a cross, and a Christmas ornament on the statue, according to the Monitor.
Concord Mayor Byron Champlin took to Facebook to condemn the destruction of the statue.
“In our community, we should be able to air differences of opinion with civility. That’s how our democracy works. Violence, against individuals or property, is unacceptable. Period. A complaint has been filed, and Concord police are investigating. My hope is that the perpetrators of this act are apprehended and prosecuted,” said Champlin.
The decision of whether to replace the destroyed display falls to the Satanists who initially put it up.
The Satanic Temple is a left-wing atheistic organization that claims to use its satanic imagery to promote “benevolence,” abortion, and transgender rights, and views Satan as an icon of self-determination.
The display was put up in part to protest the traditional Christian Nativity display also set up in front of the Concord Capitol.
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