In Response to City-Promoted Religious Walk: First Amendment Activist Proposes ‘Chicken Wings, Piñatas, and a Satanic Rave’

by Sharon Aron Baron August 18, 2024

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The City of North Lauderdale faces criticism after Commissioner Regina Martin led a religious march that the city promoted.

Martin, a pastor at the Embassy Church of South Florida, held a prayer walk on Saturday, thanking North Lauderdale BSO and Fire Rescue for escorting the group along their route from Southgate Blvd to NW 81st Street.

In response, Activist Chaz Stevens, who uses satire to advocate for the separation of church and state, emailed City Manager Michael Sargis requesting permission to hold an event dubbed “Pitchforks and Piñatas, a Satanic 300 Walkabout and Rave Party” at the North Lauderdale City Hall.

Stevens, an Atheist, argues that if a religious gathering like Gideon 300 can take place at City Hall, then his group should have an equal opportunity to gather, albeit with a more unconventional twist.

City of North Lauderdale Prayer Walk ad.

Stevens’ proposal outlines a scene in which participants forgo traditional religious symbols in favor of “spicy-as-eff chicken wings,” non-alcoholic Mexican beer, and a continuous performance of “La Bamba” by a mariachi band.

“The event aims not only to summon a good time but also to support AIDS research,” wrote Stevens, emphasizing that “even Satanists believe in giving back.”

In his letter, Stevens invites Sargis to attend the event, promising “required satanic blessings and dark humor.”

He also references the city’s promotion of Commissioner Martin’s event on its official Facebook and X feeds and requests that his event’s promotional poster be treated similarly.

“It seems that North Lauderdale BSO and Fire Rescue provided an escort for the Gideons 300 group,” Stevens wrote. “Knowing that Commissioner Martin would never seek (cough cough) personal gain from her public duties, I humbly request the same treatment—a personal praetorian guard for my troops, courtesy of BSO and the taxpayer. Also, do you know if BSO has their own Mariachi band?”

Stevens, an ordained minister and self-styled “Doctor of Space and Time,” expresses confidence that the event would be a success, playfully noting, “What could possibly go wrong with a bit of satanic fun?”

n Response to City-Promoted Religious Walk: First Amendment Activist Proposes 'Chicken Wings, Piñatas, and a Satanic Rave'

Stevens ends his letter with a mix of high regard and “the lowest of intentions,” eagerly anticipating City Hall’s decision.

We’ll keep you posted.

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Sharon Aron Baron

Sharon Aron Baron is the Editor of Tamarac Talk, Coral Springs Talk, Margate Talk, Coconut Creek Talk and Parkland Talk. Tamarac Talk was created in 2011 to provide News for the residents of Tamarac and is the #1 News Source for Residents.