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Minnesota Satanists display at State Capitol prompts pushback, discussion
The groups’ congregation leader says they’re allowed to have a difference of opinion and of how they express their religion, as it’s protected by the Constitution.
ST PAUL, Minn. — Inside the Minnesota State Capitol, there are many signs of the holidays. Inside the rotunda, a Christmas tree greets those entering the building.
Down the hallway, carolers made up of lawmakers, pastors and Christians sing their reason for the season.
Next to them, though, is what they say is an unwanted guest.
“We have not come here to honor that,” a speaker to the group said, pointing towards a display in the middle of the room.
“I think that the display is poorly timed, and it was done on purpose to be an offense to Christians,” State Representative Jim Nash, R-48A, said.
That display is of a phoenix rising from the ashes, surrounded by paper cranes, underneath an upside-down pentagram. The display was put up by the Minnesota Satanists, and according to the group, is their first holiday display.
“I can’t change the fact that that’s here, I can lend my voice to the fact that I’m not on board with the message behind it,” Nash, who spoke and prayed alongside others in the group of more than fifty, said.
“In a free country, the answer to one person’s speech is another person’s speech,” State Representative Harry Niska, R-31A, said. “If you disagree with it, then express yourself.”
“We celebrate as Minnesotans and Americans, that we’re allowed to have differences of opinion and of religious practice, and it’s all guaranteed and we can do it by the Constitution,” Minnesota Satanists Congregation Leader Asmodeus Sion said. “The reason we put it up was for representation. We wanted to bring joy and beauty to the community, and tertiary to that, we wanted to express our First Amendment rights,” Sion continued.
The group applied for a permit and was approved by the Minnesota Department of Administration, which handles the displays that go on inside the State Capitol building. The Minnesota Satanists display is set to run through next week.
The Department of Administration also said they approved a nativity scene as well.
That plurality of religions is key – and guaranteed by the First Amendment.
“The government cannot establish religion, it cannot discriminate against religion,” Jane Kirtley, a professor of media ethics and law at the University of Minnesota, said.
“If they’re going to allow one display, then they have to allow others,” Kirtley said. “As long as they conform with whatever permanent process the government has established that has to be done in a neutral way.”
Kirtley says just like any other group, if they follow the rules, they have the right to display their religious symbols too.
“If there’s any place that something like that should not be damned, it’s got to be a public space where government operates, because our government is supposed to be the government of the people,” she said. “That’s all the people.”
The decision comes after an hours-long discussion over who was best to lead the district in the future
ST PAUL, Minn. — The St. Paul Public School district board has voted unanimously to offer the superintendent job to Dr. Stacie Stanley.
Stanley is the current superintendent of Edina Public Schools.
“Dr. Stanley brings strong leadership experience and expertise in building relationships with the community, improving student outcomes and enhancing equity in diverse school districts,” said Board Chair Halla Henderson.
The unanimous vote came after hours of debate and discussion on which of the three candidates – Stanley, Dr. Rhoda Mhiripiri-Reed, and Dr. Brenda Cassellius – would be better suited to lead the district in the future. Board members discussed who would put an emphasis on safety, rebuilding trust, an ability to consider their budget problems, and considering the needs of students.
According to the SPPS website, Dr. Stanley, “led the (Edina) district’s strategic plan to create accelerated student achievement across all demographic groups, including a comprehensive literacy plan.”
Dr. Stanley previously worked as an associate superintendent at Eden Prairie Schools, and has worked in several other districts around the Twin Cities metro. She is the current president-elect of the Minnesota Association of School Administrators.”
That meeting was packed with parents and students, mainly of the Hmong community. After hours of discussion, they voiced their concerns for what the district needs, including a public comment period that came after the board voted for Dr. Stanley.
“We as a Hmong community are strong here in St. Paul. No matter who comes in to represent or work for us, they will keep us in their agenda,” Mee Moua, on the Hmong Parent advisory Council, said. “And so they see us front and center, that we matter, that we are here, they need to hear us, they need to see us.”
At the Hennepin Healthcare Burn Center in Minneapolis, providers have treated three patients with similar cases since the start of this winter season.
MILACA, Minn. — Like many Minnesotans and as a lifelong hunter and angler, Justin Cowden of Milaca typically spends the winter season outdoors. This winter, Cowden is forced to spend most of his time inside and on crutches after the electronically heated insoles he was wearing malfunctioned, exploded and left him with second and third-degree burns.
KARE reported on a similar case on Monday. Since then, more people have reported experiencing similar injuries.
Cowden purchased the insoles from the seller Meisinuo on Amazon in November of last year. The link to the product has since been taken down.
After wearing the insoles last winter with no issues, Cowden put them on once again for the first time this year on Nov. 30—the first day of muzzleloader hunting season. “I was sitting in the stand, and the sun just started to pop up and I heard a pop,” he recalled. “I was thinking the neighbor was shooting at a deer and then all of a sudden, the bottom of my foot just started rolling. I didn’t know what was going on, so I jumped up from my chair and I screamed because I felt the burning, and then I pulled my pant leg up and I saw the smoke coming out of my boot.”
Cowden said it took him less than 10 seconds to remove his boot. When he did, the insole came out in pieces and the battery was stuck to his skin. “I just ripped it off because I didn’t know what else to do. It was a scary situation.”
Cowden was told by specialists he sustained second and third-degree burns on his left foot. Three weeks later, he is still using crutches and following up with weekly appointments. Doctors told him his treatment could possibly require skin graft surgery. “It’s tough. It definitely is,” Cowden said.
At the Hennepin Healthcare Burn Center in Minneapolis, providers have treated three patients with similar cases since the start of this winter season.
It’s something medical professionals are seeing more of, according to Hennepin County Medical Center’s Trauma Prevention Coordinator Kaytlin Hanson.
“We’ve had three patients since the beginning of winter already come in with varying degrees of burns on the lower extremities from first to third-degree, and it is from these insoles malfunctioning or even exploding,” she said. “Our medical staff was kind of shocked. This isn’t something that we’ve seen necessarily in the past, so when you see something that’s all of a sudden, ‘Wow, we have three immediately right away this season,’ we definitely want to get the messaging out there that this is probably a product to stay away from.”
Hanson recommends sticking to tried and true methods of staying warm. “We want you to be wearing some well-insulated boots that are well-fitting, waterproof, and then wearing those thick wool socks. That’s great and all the protection you should need.”
Cowden said he is sharing his story in hopes of warning others who are thinking of buying similar products. “It’s nice to have warm feet when you’re out hunting and fishing, but no, it’s not worth it to deal with that pain,” he said. “It’s the worst pain ever, and like I said, I wouldn’t wish it on anybody.”
On snowy days you don’t take a clear driveway or sidewalk for granted, especially if you don’t know the person clearing it.
HENNEPIN COUNTY, Minn. — While all this snow will open the door to winter fun in the days ahead, it is already proving challenging for area seniors who need help clearing it from their driveways and doorsteps.
Gerrod Ernst is volunteering to make sure Judy Kipka’s sidewalks and patio are cleared, not just today, but all winter long. Though the Kipka’s have taken advantage of the program through Senior Community Services for several years now… They spent part of last winter on a waitlist that included 150 households.
While demand is still high, the volume of volunteers has been picking up. Though fresh snow also likely means fresh demand.
“The phones ring off the hook when there is snow like this because everyone needs help,” said Emma Friend with Senior Community Services. “They need it as quickly as they can get it because they need to leave their house to get to medical appointments, or they have medical professionals who they need to get in their home, and if the snow isn’t removed, they might just not come.”
Ann Baily says DARTS Healthy Aging Solutions, which covers parts of Ramsey, Dakota and Washington counties, had caught up to demand until Thursday morning. Which is why, if you’re willing and able, Ernst has a message for you.
“They can find ones near you or on your way to work, which is what I have,” he said. “As I commute, I can stop by here on my way to or from home, so it’s not really an inconvenience.”
If you’d like information on how to request help with shoveling or how to become a volunteer, click here.
In Hennepin county, KARE 11 is told the need is greatest in Plymouth and Brooklyn Park right now.
