Woman charged for damaging Fla. Capitol Satanic display

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Florida's Capitol has displayed a Pabst Blue Ribbon Festivus pole, atheist banners and even a tribute to the Flying Spaghetti Monster. But a display showing an angel falling into flames with the message "Happy Holidays from the Satanic Temple" was too much for one woman.

Susan Hemeryck, 54, tried removing the display Tuesday, and when the Capitol Police told her she couldn't, she began ripping it apart. She was arrested and charged with criminal mischief. The display had been erected as a satire by an atheist group to counter a nativity scene, which was taken down the day the Satanic Temple installed theirs.

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Americans United for Separation of Church and State provided the following statement Tuesday: "This act of mindless vandalism should be condemned by all decent people and all those who support true freedom of religion. It's important to remember that free speech in an open forum is for all groups, even those whose message some deem controversial or unpopular."

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