Phoenix City Council wants Satanists exorcised from meeting

Members of the Phoenix City Council are seeking a new rule to stop a satanic group from delivering the opening prayer at an upcoming meeting.

KPNX-TV reported that City Manager Ed Zuercher said Friday night that a council meeting will weigh a proposal next week on changing how the city schedules groups that give the prayer.

Four council members want the new rule to be enacted within 24 hours.

The Satanic Temple of Tucson submitted a request in December to the city clerk's office. The group was scheduled to participate in a Feb. 17 meeting.

Under a new system, the mayor and council members would choose the prayer leader on a rotating basis.

Satanic Temple leader Stu De Haan says the move is discriminatory and a constitutional violation.