Louisiana Enacts Law Requiring Ten Commandments Display in Public Schools and Universities, Faces Lawsuit

Nine families in Louisiana have filed a federal lawsuit challenging a new law requiring public school classrooms to display the Ten Commandments, arguing it violates the First Amendment's Establishment Clause and Free Exercise Clause. Represented by civil liberties organizations like the ACLU, the plaintiffs, who are of various religious backgrounds, claim the law promotes religious favoritism and coerces students into religious observance. The law, signed by Republican Governor Jeff Landry, mandates that the Ten Commandments be displayed in large, easily readable fonts in all public K-12 classrooms and state-funded universities. Proponents argue that the commandments are foundational documents of state and national government, while opponents contend the law is unconstitutional and alienates non-Christian students. This legal battle echoes the 1980 Supreme Court ruling in Stone v. Graham, which found similar mandates unconstitutional. The case is expected to draw significant attention and could potentially reach the Supreme Court.