On Tuesday, a federal judge ruled that a Louisiana law mandating the display of the Ten Commandments in all public school classrooms was unconstitutional.
U.S. District Judge John deGravelles stated that the law contradicted a 1980 Supreme Court decision invalidating a similar Kentucky law, infringing upon the religious rights of those opposed to the displays.
DeGravelles criticized the law as “discriminatory and coercive,” noting that Louisiana’s mandatory school attendance policy (requiring at least 177 days per year) would compel students to adopt the state’s preferred religious beliefs.
In his 177-page ruling, he wrote that the law would create a “captive audience” of children in public schools.
The case was brought by nine families, including several clergy members, who filed a lawsuit seeking an injunction. The plaintiffs are of diverse religious backgrounds—Unitarian Universalist, Jewish, Presbyterian, atheist, or nonreligious.
Louisiana became the only state with such a law when Republican Governor Jeff Landry signed it on June 19, with schools required to comply by January 1, 2025.
Neither Governor Landry’s office nor that of Attorney General Liz Murrill responded to requests for comment.
Louisiana’s law is seen as part of a conservative movement aiming to strengthen religious expressions in public spaces, with some hoping the Supreme Court’s conservative majority would support such legislation.
Judge deGravelles also found that the law conflicted with a 2022 Supreme Court ruling that allowed a Washington state high school coach to pray with students after games, as there was no “broader tradition” for using the Ten Commandments in public education.
Louisiana may appeal to the conservative-leaning 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans.
The case is Roake et al v. Brumley et al, in the U.S. District Court, Middle District of Louisiana, No. 24-00517.
