Federal judge blocks law mandating display of Ten Commandments in Arkansas public schools

VIDEO: Lawsuit filed over Arkansas Ten Commandments in classrooms law

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – A federal court blocked an Arkansas law that would require the display of the Ten Commandments in Arkansas public schools.

U.S. District Court Judge Timothy Brooks issued a preliminary injunction against Act 573, which mandates the display of the Ten Commandments and “In God We Trust” in Arkansas classrooms and public buildings maintained or operated with taxpayer funds.

“Forty-five years ago, the Supreme Court struck down a Ten Commandments law nearly identical to the one the Arkansas General Assembly passed earlier this year,” Brooks said in the opinion. “That precedent remains binding on this Court and renders Arkansas Act 573 plainly unconstitutional.”

ACLU Arkansas legal director John Williams called Monday’s ruling a “a victory for Arkansas families and for the First Amendment.”

“The court saw through this attempt to impose religious doctrine in public schools and upheld every student’s right to learn free from government-imposed faith,” Williams said. “We’re proud to stand with our clients — families of many different backgrounds — who simply want their kids to get an education.”

Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin’s office shared a statement Monday evening after the ruling.

“I am reviewing the court’s order and assessing our legal options,” Griffin said.

The bill received broad support in both chambers, with a 27-4 vote in the Senate and a 71-20 vote in the House.

Funding for the displays must be acquired through private donations, as mandated by law, which also details the specific wording and size of the display.

The law was set to go into effect on Tuesday.