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- Lawsuit challenges Louisiana’s Ten Commandments classroom law (newsbreak.com)
Louisiana’s Governor recently enacted a law mandating the display of the Ten Commandments in all public school classrooms, sparking a lawsuit from civil liberties organizations, which argue that the requirement infringes upon constitutional principles.
The legal challenge, initiated on Monday by groups including the American Civil Liberties Union, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and the Freedom From Religion Foundation, represents several parents of public school students in Louisiana. They argue that the law, which requires a poster-sized version of the Ten Commandments to be displayed in a prominent font in public K-12 and state-funded university classrooms starting next year, is a violation of the constitutional separation of church and state.
Supporters of the law claim it is not solely a religious measure but also of historical importance, asserting that the Ten Commandments are a fundamental part of the state and the country’s governing documents.
The legal action seeks a judicial declaration that the regulation, officially known as HB 71, contravenes First Amendment rights regarding the establishment of religion and the guarantee of religious freedom. It also aims to stop the commandments’ mandated display in classrooms.
Highlighting the lawsuit’s backers, the ACLU noted the involvement of “parents who are rabbis, pastors, and reverends,” emphasizing the diverse religious backgrounds opposing the law. The suit cites motivations behind HB 71 as an attempt to impose religious beliefs on public school students, referencing the law’s champion, Representative Dodie Horton, who advocated for showcasing “God’s law” in classrooms.
Listed as defendants in the lawsuit are the state’s Superintendent of Education, Cade Brumley, various state education board members, and some local school boards.
Louisiana Attorney General Elizabeth Murrill, along with Governor Jeff Landry, has expressed support for the controversial law. Murrill, defending the law, criticized the ACLU’s approach to First Amendment rights and expressed eagerness to defend the legislation’s legitimacy, despite the ongoing lawsuit.
The Ten Commandments’ inclusion in public spaces has been a contentious issue across the United States for decades. The U.S.
Supreme Court has addressed similar statutes in the past, finding them unconstitutional for failing to serve a secular purpose. While some states have considered similar laws, Louisiana remains unique in its implementation.
The law stipulates that the required posters, accompanied by a contextual statement outlining their historical significance in public education, must be installed by the beginning of 2025, without the use of state funds. Instead, the initiative will rely on donations.
The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge John deGravelles, a nominee of former President Barack Obama.
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- Lawsuit challenges Louisiana’s Ten Commandments classroom law (newsbreak.com)