My open letter to the Kansas government concerning the 'Witching Hour Protest' by The Satanic Grotto
OPINION: Why would God give man tongues and brains as ours, if not to speak freely even the most disagreeable of speeches?
Ian, Unaffiliated is an email newsletter with a science-based, freedom-focused perspective and a special interest in Kansas. To support our work, you can give us a monetary tip at CashApp ($ianunaf), Venmo (@ianunaf), or Buy Me A Coffee. You can also tell your friends, share our articles, and become a paid subscriber, if you aren’t already.
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!
READING TIME: Approx. 6 minutes
Quick Hits:
On Wednesday, June 25, Adam Proffitt, Secretary of Administration for Kansas, denied The Satanic Grotto’s permit for the “Witching Hour Protest” they were planning to host on Aug. 2 at the Statehouse.
On Monday, June 30, Michael Stewart, Founder and President of The Satanic Grotto released the following statement:
“This wasn't just a denial; it was an act of cancellation, an attack on our freedom to gather, and a slap in the face to every minority religion, every atheist, every activist, and every LGBTQ+ person who stands with us.
“Why were we denied? They claim "safety concerns" after sundown, despite the Capitol Police Chief stating he had NO issues with our event! They’re also falsely accusing us of "improper acts" during our March protest – the very protest where we were victims of violence, attacked by Christian extremists, and unlawfully arrested while peacefully praying.
“Let’s be clear: this isn't about safety. This is about discrimination. It’s about a state official using his power to silence voices he doesn't like, to target groups that challenge the status quo, and to show blatant favoritism to the dominant religious majority.
“They banned me, Michael Stewart, from even applying for future permits. This isn’t just about The Satanic Grotto; it’s about banning a person for standing up for what's right. It’s an attempt to stop ALL of us.
“Kansas is supposed to be a state that champions freedom and progress, but right now, our government is actively working against that ideal. They are telling minority religions they don't matter, that their rights can be stripped away at will.
“WE WILL NOT BE SILENCED.”
On Thursday, I, Ian Brannan of Ian, Unaffiliated, reached out to chief council Pat Duran, Secretary of Admin Adam Proffitt, and Capitol Police Captain Brandon Bichsel with the following message:
Hello,
My name is Ian Brannan. I am a resident of Kansas living in the Topeka area. It has come to my attention that The Satanic Grotto’s ‘Witching Hour Protest’ has been cancelled.
I understand that it was cancelled for a number of reasons including safety after sundown, adequate Kansas Highway Patrol resources, and (what I suspect to be the real reasoning) "improper acts" during a March 2025 event from the organization.
I am not with the Satanic Grotto, nor do I wish to ever be a part of such an organization.
My faith is a rare and different breed. I do not worship as those who protested the Satanic Grotto’s first event at the Capitol. My God takes no offense in another’s words.
My personal religious understanding is that Freedom is a holy thing that far too many fear and hate and know nothing of. It is with such understanding as this that I humbly ask for forgiveness for the Satanic Grotto and for the actions of Mr. Michael Stewart - a man of whom I have never met or spoken to.
I have seen the videos and have read the news from that day in March, and I think it is fair to say that the government that is supposed to represent Kansas failed to honor Mr. Stewart’s Freedoms.
I do not condone the physical violence he displayed that day. However, given the circumstances of which the government threw him and his organization into, I would only ask for him and his organization a second, and more fair, chance for them to use their First Amendment rights as our Founding Fathers fought for.
Their message is not one that must be agreed with. It is simply a message presented by Kansans who have an unpopular view in our State. Regardless of its infamy, it is a message the government ought not infringe on. Why would God give man tongues and brains as ours, if not to speak freely even the most disagreeable of speeches?
I humbly ask you to please lead by example by upholding our God-given Freedom and allow Mr. Stewart and the followers of The Satanic Grotto to host their protest on Aug. 2.
Thank you for reading.
Respectfully,
Ian Brannan
Topeka, KS 66607
ian.unaffiliated@gmail.com
To donate to The Satanic Grotto, click here.
To send a message to our political leaders, you can email:
Pat Duran Chief council, pat.doran@ks.gov.
Adam Proffitt Secretary of Admin, Adam.C.Proffitt@ks.gov
Captain Bischel Capitol police, Brandon.Bichsel@ks.gov
Ian Brannan is a political journalist and activist who has written for Emporia Gazette, Branson Globe, Baldwin City Living Magazine, GE Magazine, The Oakland Express, JaCo Lifestyle, Chanute Tribune, and Southeast Kansas Football Guide. He previously founded The Kansas Constitutional (April 2022 - May 2024). He founded Ian, Unaffiliated June 2024. You can follow Ian on X, Instagram, and Facebook.
Thank you for reading! Please consider sharing this article. You can also help us with a monetary tip through CashApp ($ianunaf), Venmo (@ianunaf), or Buy Me A Coffee.