Louisiana's Ten Commandments law in public schools is temporarily blocked by federal judge

Source: NBC News

Nov. 12, 2024, 9:53 AM EST


A coalition of parents attempting to block a state law that would require that the Ten Commandments be displayed in public school classrooms by next year have won a legal battle in federal court.

U.S. District Judge John deGravelles issued an order Tuesday granting the plaintiffs' request for a preliminary injunction, which means the state can't begin its plan to promote and create rules surrounding the law as soon as Friday while the litigation plays out.

DeGravelles heard arguments on Oct. 21 over the legislation, which would make Louisiana the first state to require that all public K-12 schools and colleges exhibit posters of the Ten Commandments. The law dictates that schools have by Jan. 1 to comply.

Gov. Jeff Landry signed the GOP-backed legislation in June, part of his conservative agenda that has reshaped Louisiana's cultural landscape, from abortion rights to criminal justice to education. The move prompted a coalition of parents — Jewish, Christian, Unitarian Universalist and nonreligious — to sue the state in federal court. They argued that the law "substantially interferes with and burdens" their First Amendment right to raise their children with whatever religious doctrine they want.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/louisianas-ten-commandments-law-public-schools-temporarily-blocked-fed-rcna172286