Louisiana on Wednesday will become the first state in the country to require the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public school classrooms.
Gov. Jeff Landry (R) signed the Republican-led bill that garnered some bipartisan support in the Louisiana Senate to display the Ten Commandments in all public elementary and middle school classrooms.
The posters must be in “large, easy-to-read font” in classrooms by early 2025. The posters will also contain a three-paragraph statement that the Ten Commandments have been a prominent part of American education.
“The Pelican State has rightly recognized the history and tradition of the Ten Commandments in the state,” said Matt Krause, advisor to the First Liberty Institute.
“Putting this historic document on school walls is a great way to remind students of the foundations of American and Louisiana law. First Liberty was grateful to help get this bill to the governor’s desk. We applaud Louisiana for being the first, but by no means the last, state to take this bold step for religious freedom,” he added.
The measure has already sparked legal challenges, one of the main concerns of Democrats who opposed the bill.
“It’s a process waiting to happen,” said Democratic state Sen. Royce DuplessisCBS affiliate WWL-TVin April. “I think we’ll probably lose in court.”
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) announced on Wednesday its intention to sue, arguing that the law violates the First Amendment.
“We are preparing a lawsuit to challenge HB 71. The law violates the separation of church and state and is blatantly unconstitutional. The First Amendment promises that we will all decide for ourselves what religious beliefs, if any, to hold and practice, without pressure from the government has no business imposing its preferred religious doctrine on students and families in public schools,” the ACLU said.
The upcoming battle will be a test for other states that have considered implementing similar laws, such as Tennessee and Texas.
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