TACOMA, Wash. — Demonstrators prayed to a chorus of bagpipes and chants, saying the Catholic rosary outside Point Defiance school.
The group from the organization Tradition, Family and Property traveled to Tacoma from Hanover, Pennsylvania, to protest a meeting of the After School Satan Club on school grounds.
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“It’s not appropriate for the Satanist movement to come into the school and promote their ideas to 5-year-old children,” said spokesman John Ritchie.
The Seattle Satanic Temple announced plans to start After School Satan clubs at several elementary schools in August, saying they were a counter to Good News Clubs. The organization Child Evangelism Fellowship uses public school property after school hours to hold meetings nationally.
Temple leaders chose Point Defiance elementary over schools in Monroe and Puyallup, saying it was closer to their Seattle headquarters.
Since public schools are paid for by tax dollars, school districts are required to allow their use by organizations once classes are over for the day.
John Purkey came to confront the protesters, but says he doesn't support the Satanists either.
“I don’t believe in any religion,” said Purkey. “Any label like that is completely useless.”
By the time the Satanists arrived Wednesday afternoon, the protesters were long gone.
Members of the temple were flanked by a crew from National Geographic working on a documentary about them.
Temple member Erin Botello says the meetings aren't about teaching Satanism but a protest of the Good News Clubs.
“If the Good News Club is here then we should be allowed to be here as well,” Botello said. “As should Hindus, and Jewish folks, Muslims. All religions should be welcome if the Good News Club is here.”
Tacoma schools spokesman Dan Voelpel said as of Wednesday, no students or parents had shown interest in attending the After School Satan Club’s first open house.
Leidy Martinez has a child attending Point Defiance and said she doesn't want her child going to the meetings.
“Personally I don’t agree with the club. That’s why my daughter is not attending,” Martinez said.
Cox Media Group
