The sect of the church, which has 12 members, is hoping to raise awareness of their religion, in support of Lancaster resident Steve Hill, the first member of the church to run for public office. They are keeping the day’s schedule a secret.
Hill, a Bernie Sanders-supporting Democrat, is a former US Marine. His platform includes reforming public schools and reducing incarceration rates in the state. Hill hopes to replace the Republican incumbent, who is not seeking reelection, but the acknowledged Satanist has been consistently shunned by the local Democratic establishment for his beliefs, he says. For this reason, he is considering running as an independent.
According to a statement released by the group, they use GPS technology to draw a Pentagram around the city.
“The Pentagram is a star with five points. Using GPS technology we will place the five points of the star so that the Pentagram will encompass your entire city. When all of the points are in place, the Pentagram is completed. Drawing this symbol around your city represents a solemn promise from us, the Satanic Temple of Los Angeles. We will stand with the good people of the City of Lancaster and struggle for our constitutional right to individual liberty, freedom of expression and the separation of church and state in your community,” according to the statement.
Followers of the Satanic Temple are generally agnostic or atheist, and don’t believe a Satan exists, but use the icon as a symbol of rebellion. Members of the group are fierce proponents of freedom, “including the freedom to offend.”
"We will be hitting five different points around the city, performing various rituals," organizer Thuc Nguyen told the LA Weekly. "When we're finished it will all connect together for the magic hour around sundown."
