Satanic group says Ottawa County board prayer as protesters chant, sing nearby

OTTAWA COUNTY, MI -- A chaotic scene unfolded before Ottawa County commissioners Tuesday as a member of The Satanic Temple of West Michigan gave the board’s opening prayer, with protesters chanting and singing nearby.

A man who gave his name as Luis Cypher delivered a brief speech before commissioners, mostly reiterating the principles of his organization.

The content of Cypher’s speech seemed less significant than the massive crowd that gathered in protest of him and The Satanic Temple of West Michigan.

It was standing room only in the county building’s foyer prior to the meeting. People chanted and sang hymns such as Amazing Grace, put signs on the wall that said “God always, Satan never” and “Satan has no rights.”

A few supporters of The Satanic Temple of West Michigan were in the crowd.

One man began to yell “Hail satan.” Others yelled “We Love Jesus.”

The verbal sparring stayed just that, with no physical altercations.

Bendr Bones, co-head of The Satanic Temple of West Michigan, said he thought the invocation went well despite the large protest.

He considered the large amount of protesters as a positive sign for his group’s mission.

“It’s sort of a message that ‘I’m doing the right thing’ if people that I ideologically disagree with are protesting,” he said.

Bones also said the man who yelled “Hail satan” was not affiliated with his organization. Members of The Satanic Temple of West Michigan had been advised not to engage with protesters.

The Satanic Temple of West Michigan was able to make the invocation speaker’s list because of a January 2024 change in board policy that allowed pastors to speak on a first-come, first-served basis as long as they follow a set procedure.

Commissioners changed the policy after a Grand Haven pastor who supports LGBTQ rights complained he was not chosen as an invocation speaker after asking twice. He filed a lawsuit that is ongoing.

Jose Rizo, of Allegan, came to the meeting wearing a hat that said “Make America Godly Again.”

Rizo said he believes the member of The Satanic Temple of West Michigan had the right to speak at a governmental meeting.

“But I also think we should have the right to protest,” he said. “Were just here to praise God.”

The speech by Cypher set off a series of people lining up for public comment, with many reading Bible passages.

Dena Arner was not one of them. She admonished commissioners for allowing what she deemed as multiple invocations.

“Apparently this is now a pulpit where people need to explain their religion,” she said. “This is not a church.”

Ottawa County Board Chair Joe Moss said he believed that adopting the new invocation policy promotes free speech. He also said he’s heard from several pastors who support the change, even if groups such as The Satanic Temple of West Michigan are allowed to speak.

The controversy over The Satanic Temple of West Michigan’s presentation is the latest of many controversies that have followed the Ottawa County board since a majority faction took office in January 2023.