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Satanist holiday display near New Hampshire Nativity scene destroyed after apparent vandalism
Local News
Only the legs of the black mannequin remained upright, while the strewn head and torso were damaged. The entire display was removed Tuesday.
Since the Satanic Temple’s monument near Concord, New Hampshire’s Nativity scene was unveiled Saturday, it has been “completely destroyed,” a state representative said.
The Salem, Mass.-based Satanic Temple, or TST, received a permit to place their monument of Baphomet, a deity and occult symbol with yellow eyes, near the city’s Nativity scene by the Statehouse. The city said in a statement they approved the permit in part “to avoid litigation.”
TST representatives unveiled Baphomet on Saturday night, and police believe it was vandalized some time between early Sunday morning and Monday afternoon. In pictures provided to Boston.com, only the legs of the black mannequin remained upright, while the strewn head and torso were damaged.
A spokesperson for Concord police confirmed that they responded to the scene Monday and could be investigating the incident as a hate crime.
State Rep. Ellen Read, a Democrat from Newmarket, initially asked TST to join the scene to represent “our pluralistic society.” She isn’t officially involved with them or the design of the Baphomet monument, but has signed up as a member online.
“I’ve just been a long time supporter of TST in terms of their beliefs and the work that they do,” Read said. “I’m local, so I helped with the permitting process, and I was there for the unveiling.”
Read said the monument had already been toppled once right after the unveiling ceremony on Saturday. Within 48 hours, the tablet listing the TST’s seven fundamental tenets had also been cracked with chunks of text missing.
Read said by Monday night, Baphomet had been taken apart and the tablet smashed. She said a Santa hat and a Christmas ornament had been left at the scene.
The display was cleaned up and removed Tuesday after the vandalism, Read said.
“There was nothing inherently offensive about the display. There were accusations that it meant to denigrate Christians, but there was nothing about it that was denigrating Christians,” Read said. “If you don’t want to allow it for all religions, then you don’t have to allow religious displays.”
Concord Mayor Byron Champlin previously said he would appoint a committee to evaluate the city’s options to regulate unattended displays for the future.
Champlin was critical of the display. He didn’t reply to a request for comment regarding the vandalism, but said at a Monday night meeting his preference was to oppose TST’s permit.
“I oppose the permit because I believe the request was made not in the interest of promoting religious equity but in order to drive an anti-religious political agenda and because I don’t respond well to legal extortion, threat of litigation,” Champlin said.
Read said it’s a First Amendment concern.
“They can pretend that they allow it for all religious displays, but it’s only really applicable if it’s Christianity,” Read said. “That’s kind of the point of calling that out and making sure that we’re standing up for First Amendment principles.”
TST did not return multiple requests for comment.
By PAULA TRACY, InDepthNH.org
CONCORD – While Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte has said she opposes increasing highway toll rates across the state, the Senate voted Thursday to increase rates for out-of-state license plate holders.
It now goes to the House for consideration.
This would be a $1 increase for those who have out of state plates going through the tolls at Hooksett, Hampton and Bedford for out-of-state plates, a 75 cent hike for those taking Hampton’s Exit 2 and on the Spaulding turnpike at Rochester, and a 50 cent hike for those taking the exit off I-93 to Hooksett.
An analysis in the bill shows that this would increase toll revenue by $53.3 million in fiscal year 2027 and go up each year to generate $81.4 million a year in 2036.
Senate Bill 627 passed on a voice vote with two Republicans, Senators Regina Birdsell of Hampstead and William Gannon of Sandown opposing.
Senator Mark E. McConkey, R-Freedom, moved to take the bill off the table and offered an amendment.
He said the last time there was a systemwide increase to the turnpike toll was 19 years ago.
“I am sure we could all agree the cost of operations…has continued to escalate when revenue is not rising with it,” and he noted that with an enterprise fund, the state can only spend what it takes in.
The state has just completed a 10-year highway plan and there was a $400 million shortfall in projects that could not be paid for under the current income.
McConkey said the measure would not increase tolls for New Hampshire drivers with a state license plate.
“Why don’t we ask our neighbors,” to pay a toll increase. “We are getting the best of all worlds,” by passing the bill, he said, including “protecting our residents” and having resources for improvements to the turnpike system.
Sen. Gannon, R-Sandown, asked McConkey if there are any studies on impacts near the border on businesses.
If implemented, McConkey said the state will be the 27th lowest in per mile cost still. McConkey said the bill would also increase from seven to 14 days the amount of time for those with NH license plates to pay for a toll adding there are other states that also have different rates for out-of-state users.
The Hampton toll cost would go from $2 to $3, while Hooksett and Bedford would rise from $1 to $2 for out-of-state plates.
New Hampshire currently has the lowest rate per mile among states with tolls roads.
The governor said she does not support a toll increase.
“We are not going to put a burden on drivers for a toll increase,” Ayotte said. “Families are struggling.”
WILTON, N.H. (WHDH) – A woman died in a Wilton, New Hampshire, house fire Wednesday morning, according to the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office.
At 9:08 a.m., Wilton firefighters responded to Burns Hill Road after a caller said their home was filling up with smoke. When they arrived, a single-family home was on fire and they found out two people were still inside on the second floor.
A man and a woman were both taken out of the house by firefighters and taken to Elliott Hospital. The woman was pronounced dead and the man is in serious condition.
Officials have not released the name of the victim at this time.
At this time, investigators are looking into the cause of the fire and are trying to determine if a power outage in the area played a factor. The fire is not currently considered suspicious.
(Copyright (c) 2025 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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