Satanic Temple statue unveiled at the Arkansas State Capitol

The Baphomet statue unveiled at the Arkansas State Capitol on Thursday during the Satanic Temple's Rally for the First Amendment. (KATV)

Dozens attended a rally held by the Satanic Temple at the Arkansas State Capitol on Thursday.

The rally comes after the Arkansas legislature approved the placement of a Ten Commandments monument on the Capitol grounds.

During the Satanic Temple's Rally for the First Amendment, a more than 8-feet-tall Baphomet statue was unveiled.

Those against the rally also attended, telling KATV they had hoped to spread God's love.

Following the installation of the Ten Commandments monument, the Satanic Temple filed a lawsuit to have its statue placed on the same grounds in the name of religious pluralism and the First Amendment.

During the 2017 legislative session, the Satanic Temple sent a letter to Arkansas legislators asking for lawmakers to sponsor a bill that would allow a Baphomet statue on Capitol grounds, but not one lawmaker responded.

The rally had five speakers, including the Satanic Temple's spokesperson and co-founder, and was held at the Arkansas State Capitol from 1 to 3 p.m.

“The event is intended to be an inclusive gathering where The Satanic Temple will be celebrating pluralism along with Christian and secular speakers. People of many faiths will come together at the Capitol to reject the Arkansas State Legislature's efforts to privilege one religion over others,” explains Lucien Greaves, spokesman and co-founder of the Satanic Temple.

Arkansas state Sen. Jason Rapert released the following statement in response to the scheduled protest: