A recent ruling has sent shockwaves through Louisiana after U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles issued a temporary block on a law that mandated the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms across the state. The judge reasoned that the law “is unconstitutional on its face” and infringes upon the First Amendment’s clauses regarding free exercise and establishment of religion.
The controversial legislation, signed into law this past June, required that all public schools—from elementary through to universities—post the Ten Commandments in a designated format, specifically on a poster or framed document of no less than eleven by fourteen inches by the start of the new year. This was paired with a four-paragraph contextual statement that claimed the commandments were a significant part of America’s public education history.
Prompt legal action was taken by a coalition of parents, supported by various organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Americans United for Separation of Church and State. They filed the lawsuit aiming to halt the enactment of this requirement, citing a breach of constitutional rights. The ACLU reaffirmed their commitment to student inclusivity, stating that public schools are not meant to act as religious institutions.
On the other hand, advocates of the law argue that the measure draws on the historical importance of the Ten Commandments to American legal foundations. They also mentioned that funding for the displays would come from private donations, sidestepping any concerns regarding state financing. This argument was put forth amidst the judge’s ruling, as State Attorney General Liz Murrill expressed her intent to appeal the decision, insisting that the law is indeed constitutional. “We’ve illustrated it in numerous ways that the law is constitutional,” Murrill stated, suggesting that compliance with the Constitution is feasible without compromising individual beliefs.
Judge deGravelles, who was appointed by former President Obama, issued a preliminary injunction, preventing the state from moving forward with any implementation of the law while the court case unfolds. He also mandated that Attorney General Murrill’s office notify all public schools that the law has been deemed unconstitutional.
This isn’t the first time such measures have faced legal scrutiny. A significant precedent was set in 1980 when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against a Kentucky law requiring the posting of the Ten Commandments in classrooms, deeming it unconstitutional on similar grounds. As the fight continues in Louisiana, the ramifications of this law will likely shape discussions around the intersection of education and religious expression in public spaces.
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