Federal Judge Halts Louisiana Law Mandating Display of Ten Commandments in Classrooms

The recent law in Louisiana, a state known for its strong Republican presence and deep-rooted religious values, mandated that the Ten Commandments be displayed in every public classroom by January 1. However, this requirement was temporarily halted on Tuesday by U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles, who declared it "unconstitutional on its face." Judge deGravelles stated that the law had an "overtly religious" intent and dismissed arguments from state officials who claimed the Ten Commandments should be posted due to their historical significance to U.S. law. He pointed out that no other foundational documents, such as the Constitution or the Bill of Rights, are required to be displayed.In response to the ruling, Louisiana Attorney General Elizabeth Murrill expressed strong disagreement and announced plans to appeal the decision. Murrill, along with Republican Governor Jeff Landry, supported the legislation.In granting a preliminary injunction against the law, Judge deGravelles noted that opponents of the legislation were likely to succeed in their ongoing lawsuit. The lawsuit contends that displaying the Ten Commandments violates the First Amendment by promoting a specific religion and potentially alienating students who do not identify as Christian.DeGravelles emphasized that the law amounts to unconstitutional coercion of students: “As Plaintiffs highlight, by law, parents must send their minor children to school and ensure attendance during regular school hours at least 177 days per year.”Despite opposition claims, proponents argue that the measure is not purely religious but highlights historical aspects of American legal traditions.The plaintiffs in this case included a group of parents whose children attend Louisiana public schools. The new legislation has been part of broader trends among conservatives across various states aiming to integrate religious elements into educational settings.Similar measures requiring displays of the Ten Commandments have emerged in states like Texas, Oklahoma, and Utah; however, none have successfully implemented these laws due to anticipated legal challenges over their constitutionality.Historically, this issue is not new; in 1980, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against a similar Kentucky law for violating First Amendment principles concerning government endorsement of religion.Louisiana's current legislation mandates that schools display posters containing the Ten Commandments at least 11 inches by 14 inches in size with clearly readable text as a central focus. Each display must also include a four-paragraph statement explaining how these commandments were historically significant within American public education for nearly three centuries.To comply with this new requirement, tens of thousands of posters would likely be necessary across public K-12 schools and state-funded university classrooms. Supporters claim that schools will not need to allocate public funds for these posters; instead, they can seek donations or rely on organizations willing to provide them.