Men From Concord, Weare Accused Of Destroying City Plaza Satanic Temple ‘Holiday Display’

CONCORD, NH — Three men have been arrested on vandalism charges connected to the destruction of a “holiday display” at the city plaza posted by the Satanic Temple in Downtown Concord in December 2024.

John Camden, 41, of Concord, and David Petriel, 31, of Weare, were arrested on Thursday on a criminal mischief charge each. On Friday, Joshua Cummings, 33, of Concord, was arrested on two criminal mischief counts. The men were arrested after a multi-month investigation into several acts of vandalism against the display described as an “occult deity,” “demonic presence,” and “demon goat god Baphomet” after its installation on the city plaza on Dec. 7, 2024, near the city Christmas tree, a Nativity crèche, and a religious freedom display.

Editor's note: This post was derived from information supplied by the Concord Police Department and does not indicate a conviction. This link explains the removal request process for New Hampshire Patch police reports.

Not long after the installation was posted, it was damaged. Activists continued reinstalling the display, and vandals repeatedly knocked it down.

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• Demonic Presence Installed On Concord’s City Plaza

“Over several days and nights, the damaged display was repaired by citizens associated with the display and re-damaged by various individuals thereafter,” police said in a statement Monday.

While the display was being damaged, online threats were made against the Nativity scene. Someone also left a sign on the creche stating, “Do Not Go After Evil, That Path Leads To Destruction.” This prompted several volunteers, including Brian Blackden, the Christmas tree lighting event organizer, to stand guard at the plaza while also inviting city residents to sing Christmas carols. Several times, Blackden called the police to report the vandals destroying the Temple’s display.

Police said for several months, detectives investigated the incidents which led to the arrests.

Camden was also previously arrested on Christmas night on an active warrant after an incident at the city plaza.

All three men were booked, processed, and released on personal recognizance. Cummings and Petriel are due in Concord District Court for arraignment on April 28, while Camden is due in court for arraignment on May 19.

Vandalism against spiritual displays during the holidays tends to be rare in Concord.

In December 2007, the Baby Jesus was stolen from a Nativity display outside St. Peter’s Church. Other figures in the display were not taken or damaged.

At some point, the Knights of Columbus installed mesh covering the current Nativity scene to prevent the expensive figurines from being stolen or damaged.

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