Sean Rossman

Democrat staff writer

Officers arrested a Tallahassee woman who they say began to rip apart a Satanic Temple holiday display in the lobby of the Florida Capitol on Tuesday.

Susan Hemeryck, 54, told two Florida Department of Law Enforcement Capitol Police officers that she was "sorry and had to take down the Satanic display," because it was "not right" before she attempted to tear it about 11:30 a.m.

Hemeryck then tried to remove the display. Officers stopped her and told her to put it back.

One of the officers explained to her that removing the display was in violation of the law. In response, Hemeryck said, she "could not take it anymore" and began to rip the display apart.

She was then escorted away and placed under arrest.

The controversial diorama of an angel falling into a pit of fire made headlines when it was set up Monday.

It was the only holiday display denied last year for being "grossly offensive." This year, the group enlisted Washington, D.C.-based Americans United for Separation of Church and State, which threatened legal action if the display was again denied.

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."

The group is one of several groups wanting to place public displays in response to the state allowing religious depictions in public building. A 6-foot pole of beer cans celebrating the fictitious holiday Festivus has made its way into the Capitol for the past two years as have several banners from atheist groups and a display from the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

Hemeryck is facing a charge of criminal mischief. She was released on her own recognizance Tuesday.