Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Jun 26, 2024 / 16:30 pm
A coalition of state residents is suing the Louisiana government to block the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools, arguing that displays would violate the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
The coalition — which is being represented by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) — filed the lawsuit against members of the Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education as well as State Superintendent Cade Brumley and several local school boards.
The challenge comes after Republican Gov. Jeff Landry, who is Catholic, signed legislation that requires K–12 schools and colleges that receive public funding to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom.
Per the new law, the Ten Commandments must be displayed on a poster or framed document that is at least 11 inches wide and 14 inches tall. The commandments must be the central focus of the display and the display must include a statement about the history of the Ten Commandments in American public education.