Federal Ruling Blocks Louisiana’s Ten Commandments Mandate for Classrooms, State Prepares Appeal

BATON ROUGE, La. – A recent federal court ruling has blocked a Louisiana law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in all public classrooms, citing constitutional concerns over religious endorsement in public education. The decision comes just weeks before the law would have required all K-12 and college institutions to comply, setting the stage for further legal battles.

In response to the ruling, State Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley must inform schools across Louisiana of the decision, which aligns with the ACLU of Louisiana’s advocacy for church-state separation.

"This ruling protects a fundamental principle in our democracy," said Jabarie Walker, Political Director for the ACLU of Louisiana. "It prevents religious mandates in spaces meant for diverse beliefs and ensures the rights of all students are respected."

However, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill contends that the decision has been overstated, emphasizing that the court’s ruling applies only to five school districts named in the lawsuit: East Baton Rouge, Livingston, St. Tammany, Orleans, and Vernon Parishes.

“The judge’s order does not cover the entire state, only those specific districts and the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE),” Murrill clarified. “BESE does not control all local boards, so the ruling is limited in scope.”

The Ten Commandments law has faced scrutiny for what critics call an unconstitutional push toward religious endorsement in public schools. State Representative Mandie Landry voiced support for the judge’s decision, arguing that the law infringes on students' rights to religious freedom.

“Placing religious symbols in classrooms imposes beliefs that not every student shares,” said Landry. “This issue was settled years ago, and the ruling reflects that commitment to an inclusive educational environment.”

Supporters of the law maintain that the Ten Commandments carry historical importance and cultural relevance, with educational value beyond religion. Despite the setback, the state intends to file an appeal with the Fifth Circuit Court on Wednesday, seeking to allow the law’s implementation statewide.

“We will immediately pursue a stay on this ruling to ensure the law moves forward as intended,” Murrill announced, underscoring the state’s commitment to defending the legislation.

Opponents, however, remain hopeful that higher courts will affirm the decision. "The court got it right this time, and we’re optimistic that this decision will be upheld," Walker remarked.

Further comments from the ACLU are anticipated as the state moves forward with its appeal.