A federal appeals court today ruled that Louisiana’s controversial law requiring public schools to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom is unconstitutional, marking a significant victory for civil liberties groups and upholding the principle of separation of church and state.
The decision by a three-judge panel of the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals affirms a previous ruling by U.S. District Judge John deGravelles, who had declared the mandate unconstitutional and ordered a halt to its enforcement. The law, signed by Republican Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry in June 2024, made Louisiana the first state to mandate such displays in public schools.
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Civil liberties organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), praised the ruling, arguing that the law violated the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause, which prohibits the government from establishing or endorsing a religion. Critics had also expressed concerns that the display of religious texts in public schools would alienate students of non-Christian faiths.
“This is a resounding victory for the separation of church and state and public education,” said Heather L. Weaver, a senior staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union. “With today’s ruling, the Fifth Circuit has held Louisiana accountable to a core constitutional promise: Public schools are not Sunday schools, and they must welcome all students, regardless of faith.”
The legal challenge originated from a lawsuit filed by parents of Louisiana students from various religious backgrounds. They contended that the mandate infringed upon their children’s religious freedoms by compelling them to view a religious document within a public-school environment.
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Despite the ruling, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill expressed disagreement, stating that the decision applies only to the five school districts directly involved in the lawsuit and announced plans to appeal the verdict.
The legal battle in Louisiana unfolds amidst similar legislative efforts in other states. Earlier this month, a group of Arkansas families filed a federal lawsuit challenging a nearly identical law passed in their state, which is set to take effect in August and will apply to all public schools, universities, and taxpayer-funded buildings. Texas also saw its legislature approve a Ten Commandments bill in May.
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This ruling in Louisiana aligns with previous judicial interpretations regarding religious displays in public spaces. In a prior case, an appeals court determined that a two-and-a-half-ton Ten Commandments monument in the Alabama State Judicial Building violated the Establishment Clause, concluding it created an “unavoidable” religious display. Today’s decision reinforces the legal precedent that public educational institutions must maintain neutrality on matters of religion to ensure an inclusive environment for all students.
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