Florida Capitol’s Festivus Pole Gets International Attention

Chaz Stevens, CLE Faculty.
December 13, 2013
Published December 13, 2013 by WLRN Public Media. Original article: Florida Capitol’s Festivus Pole Gets International Attention​:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}​:contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}. A 6-foot pole made of Pabst Blue Ribbon beer cans is making news around the world as it stands in Florida’s Capitol building​:contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}. Stevens, an atheist activist, said he intended to “make a circus out of it” to protest government endorsement of religious

by Chaz Stevens, CLE Faculty

Florida Capitol’s Festivus Pole Gets International Attention

Published December 13, 2013 by WLRN Public Media. Original article: Florida Capitol’s Festivus Pole Gets International Attention​:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}​:contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}.

A 6-foot pole made of Pabst Blue Ribbon beer cans is making news around the world as it stands in Florida’s Capitol building​:contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}. Stevens, an atheist activist, said he intended to “make a circus out of it” to protest government endorsement of religious displays​:contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.

About the Author
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Chaz Stevens is the founder of REVOLT Training and a longtime public-records strategist focused on forcing accountability through process, not protest. His work has triggered policy reversals, criminal prosecutions, and national media coverage by weaponizing bureaucracy, public records laws, and First Amendment doctrine against institutional dysfunction.

Learn more about him on Wikipedia.
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"Disruption Isn’t Just Necessary—It’s Democratic."

"Chaz Stevens has always embodied a fearless, in-your-face style of activism that cuts through noise and demands attention. His work isn’t just provocative—it’s purposeful. Whether he’s challenging government hypocrisy, exposing corruption, or pushing the boundaries of free expression, Chaz does so with biting humor and unapologetic urgency."

"What makes Chaz especially powerful is that his activism forces people to think—about power dynamics, institutional contradictions, and our collective responsibility to speak out. He doesn’t just push the envelope; he sets it on fire to make his point."

"In Florida, where critical voices are often silenced and sanitized, Chaz Stevens is a powerful reminder that disruption isn’t just necessary—it’s democratic."

Anna Eskamani, Florida State Representative

"Satan Loves the First Amendment. Broward Schools Didn’t."

"The Church of Satanology, run by the Ministry of Chaz the Bropostle, is a more political, constitution-based effort than it is an actual religion. "

Lianna Norman, USA Today

"This “Bite Me Greg” Activist Wants Them in Arabic With a Dash of Satanism."

"It’s a form of protest so ridiculous, it could actually work — and we would expect nothing else from a Florida guy [...] who’s back for a second round — and ready to mess with Texas."

Riya Misra, The Barbed Wire

"Council Braces for Flag Lawsuit Showdown."

"I think [Church of Satanology] is just nudging us to make the correct separation of church and state."

Torrington, CT City Council member Stephan Ivain

"The Law is on His Side."

“This letter was sent to poke the city in the eye for its poor choices ... [Chaz] knows what he's doing and the law is on his side.”

Attorney and Hartford, CT councilmen Joshua Michtom

"Stop Flag Propaganda."

"To help save it from itself, Connecticut could use a few more gadflies like T. Chaz Stevens."

Chris Powell, Columnist, CT Examiner

"It’s peaceful, it’s not violent."

"CHAZ STEVENS, the leader of Revolt Training, is heading out to Fort Lauderdale with 11 other protestors to — wait for it — wear inflatable male genitalia costumes paired with masks of Trump’s face."

Stevens said, "We are there smiling and taking pictures and it’s the absolute essence of our constitutional rights. Plus we’ll have a good time.”

Kimberly Leopard, Politico

“Provocative Activism That Gets Results Beyond Lawsuits.”

"As someone who has covered church/state separation for decades, I know that it's not always enough to make speeches or file lawsuits. Sometimes, you just need to grab the public's attention. No one does that better than Chaz Stevens."

"Yes, he's provocative. Yes, he can be abrasive. Yes, he often rubs traditionalists the wrong way."

"But here's the thing: He gets results. He demands attention through his unique brand of clever, funny, effective activism. That kind of public spotlight on a story can often do more than an entire cadre of lawyers. "

Hemant Mehta, editor of FriendlyAtheist.com

“Chaz Stevens Weaponizes Bureaucracy for Change.”

"As a media disrupter, guerrilla marketer, and all-around political gadfly, Chaz Stevens personifies John Lewis' idea of 'Good Trouble.' Few in Florida know more about weaponizing governmental bureaucracy to achieve tangible positive results."

"South Florida politicos have long admired (or feared) his sharp wit, savvy and doggedness — now, Chaz can show you the best, most effective way to get s**t done."

Phil Ammann, Journalist, Florida Politics

"A Relentless, Fearless, and Brilliantly Satirical Force."

"His unique brand of activism - equal parts performance art and legal precision has led to tangible change: public displays removed, policies reevaluated, and a growing awareness of the need for true governmental neutrality in matters of religion.”

Sharon Baron, editor of ParklandTalk.com

“Defending the Constitution, Not Your Feelings.”

"Chaz Stevens doesn’t care about you or your feelings because he’s defending the U.S. Constitution."

"And he’ll go to the mat to keep it unsullied by those who seek to defile it in the name of any agenda."

Anne Geggis, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist

"Sends Politicians Packing."

"There are those who don't know Chaz and those he sent to jail."

Aaron Nevins, GOP Consultant

"Diligent and Brutally Passionate."

"His pursuit of truth is intense and motivated. Love him or hate him, you must respect his work ethic and focus."

Commissioner Michael Udine, Broward County

"Disruption Isn’t Just Necessary—It’s Democratic."

"Chaz Stevens has always embodied a fearless, in-your-face style of activism that cuts through noise and demands attention. His work isn’t just provocative—it’s purposeful. Whether he’s challenging government hypocrisy, exposing corruption, or pushing the boundaries of free expression, Chaz does so with biting humor and unapologetic urgency."

"What makes Chaz especially powerful is that his activism forces people to think—about power dynamics, institutional contradictions, and our collective responsibility to speak out. He doesn’t just push the envelope; he sets it on fire to make his point."

"In Florida, where critical voices are often silenced and sanitized, Chaz Stevens is a powerful reminder that disruption isn’t just necessary—it’s democratic."

Anna Eskamani, Florida State Representative

"Satan Loves the First Amendment. Broward Schools Didn’t."

"The Church of Satanology, run by the Ministry of Chaz the Bropostle, is a more political, constitution-based effort than it is an actual religion."

Lianna Norman, USA Today

"Council Braces for Flag Lawsuit Showdown."

"I think [Church of Satanology] is just nudging us to make the correct separation of church and state."

Torrington, CT City Council member Stephan Ivain

"The Law is on His Side."

“This letter was sent to poke the city in the eye for its poor choices ... [Chaz] knows what he's doing and the law is on his side.”

Attorney and Hartford, CT councilmen Joshua Michtom

"Stop Flag Propaganda."

"To help save it from itself, Connecticut could use a few more gadflies like T. Chaz Stevens."

Chris Powell, Columnist, CT Examiner

"It’s peaceful, it’s not violent."

"CHAZ STEVENS, the leader of Revolt Training, is heading out to Fort Lauderdale with 11 other protestors to — wait for it — wear inflatable male genitalia costumes paired with masks of Trump’s face."

Stevens said, "We are there smiling and taking pictures and it’s the absolute essence of our constitutional rights. Plus we’ll have a good time.”

Kimberly Leopard, Politico

“Provocative Activism That Gets Results Beyond Lawsuits.”

"As someone who has covered church/state separation for decades, I know that it's not always enough to make speeches or file lawsuits. Sometimes, you just need to grab the public's attention. No one does that better than Chaz Stevens."

"Yes, he's provocative. Yes, he can be abrasive. Yes, he often rubs traditionalists the wrong way."

"But here's the thing: He gets results. He demands attention through his unique brand of clever, funny, effective activism. That kind of public spotlight on a story can often do more than an entire cadre of lawyers. "

Hemant Mehta, editor of FriendlyAtheist.com

“Chaz Stevens Weaponizes Bureaucracy for Change.”

"As a media disrupter, guerrilla marketer, and all-around political gadfly, Chaz Stevens personifies John Lewis' idea of 'Good Trouble.' Few in Florida know more about weaponizing governmental bureaucracy to achieve tangible positive results."

"South Florida politicos have long admired (or feared) his sharp wit, savvy and doggedness — now, Chaz can show you the best, most effective way to get s**t done."

Phil Ammann, Journalist, Florida Politics

"A Relentless, Fearless, and Brilliantly Satirical Force."

"His unique brand of activism - equal parts performance art and legal precision has led to tangible change: public displays removed, policies reevaluated, and a growing awareness of the need for true governmental neutrality in matters of religion.”

Sharon Baron, editor of ParklandTalk.com

"A Relentless, Fearless, and Brilliantly Satirical Force."

"Chaz Stevens doesn’t care about you or your feelings because he’s defending the U.S. Constitution."

"And he’ll go to the mat to keep it unsullied by those who seek to defile it in the name of any agenda."

Anne Geggis, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist

"Sends Politicians Packing."

"There are those who don't know Chaz and those he sent to jail."

Aaron Nevins, GOP Consultant

"Diligent and Brutally Passionate."

"His pursuit of truth is intense and motivated. Love him or hate him you must respect his work ethic and focus."

Commissioner Michael Udine, Broward County

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