A federal judge ruled that a Louisiana law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public school classrooms is unconstitutional. Judge John W. deGravelles stated that the law has an “overtly religious” purpose and rejected claims that the display is solely historical. The ruling blocks the state and specific school boards from enforcing the mandate and requires them to notify all Louisiana school boards of its unconstitutionality.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry signed the “Dream Big” Education Plan into Law on June 19, 2024. HB 71 required all school districts in the state to display the Ten Commandments in each classroom in each school.
“I signed into law HB 71 making Louisiana the first state to require the Ten Commandments to be displayed in the classroom,” Landry said on social media on June 26. “I believe this is a step in the right direction to restore morals and values for current and future generations in Louisiana.”
Louisiana Attorney General Elizabeth Murrill announced plans to appeal.
