“Satan Has a Special Place for You”: Capitol Plaque and Display Raise First Amendment Questions in Minnesota

A plaque placed near a holiday display in the Minnesota State Capitol Rotunda reads:
“The Democrat Coalition of Satan Worshippers thanks Gov. Tim Walz for not standing in the way of spreading Satanism in the state Capitol building. Satan has a special place for you.”

The statement, short and confrontational, set off a wave of criticism after photos of it circulated online. But the legal system surrounding religious expression in public spaces is not based on public reaction. It is grounded in the First Amendment’s guarantees of religious freedom and government neutrality.

The plaque accompanied a holiday installation by the Minnesota chapter of The Satanic Temple, which included a black mirrored cube, paper cranes, lighting, and a pentagram suspended above the structure. The group secured a permit from the Minnesota Department of Administration to place the display in the Capitol Rotunda from December 13 to December 27, 2023. The department stated that issuing a permit to a private group “does not imply endorsement by the State of Minnesota.” (FOX 9)

The Capitol operates under a neutral public access policy. Individuals and groups may reserve space through an application process as long as they meet safety and time limitations. These rules prohibit obstruction of hallways and unsafe materials but do not evaluate the content of speech or displays. The governor does not oversee or approve these permits. A spokesperson confirmed, “The Capitol is a public building… the governor does not have jurisdiction over the permits.” (CBS News Minnesota)

The constitutional issue here is not whether the message is offensive. It is whether the government has treated all groups equally. The First Amendment prohibits government from establishing religion and protects religious expression. Courts have consistently held that if a government opens a space for religious or ideological speech, it must allow all viewpoints to participate under the same rules.