Share this @internewscast.com

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — A federal judge ruled on Monday that a new Arkansas law mandating the display of the Ten Commandments in public classrooms cannot be implemented in some of the state’s major school districts. This decision comes after parents filed challenges arguing that the law breaches the separation of church and state.

But the ruling by U.S. District Judge Timothy L. Brooks, an appointee of former President Obama, only narrowly applied to four of the state’s 237 districts. That left the impact of the decision limited as thousands of Arkansas students prepared to return to class this month.

The injunction is the latest legal turn in a widening push in Republican-led states to give religion a bigger presence in public schools. Texas and Louisiana have passed similar laws requiring classrooms to display the Ten Commandments and the issue is expected to eventually reach the U.S. Supreme Court.

“Why would Arkansas pass an obviously unconstitutional law?” Brooks wrote in his 35-page ruling. “Most likely because the state is part of a coordinated strategy among several states to inject Christian religious doctrine into public-school classrooms.”

The Arkansas law, signed earlier this year by Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, takes effect Tuesday and requires the Ten Commandments to be prominently displayed in public school classrooms and libraries. The suit was filed on behalf of the families by the American Civil Liberties Union, Americans United for the Separation of Church and State and the Freedom from Religion Foundation.

“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,” John L. Williams, legal director of ACLU of Arkansas said in a statement. “We’re proud to stand with our clients — families of many different backgrounds — who simply want their kids to get an education.”

Attorney General Tim Griffin, whose office defended the law, said he was reviewing the decision and assessing legal options.

The lawsuit says the requirement violates the families’ constitutional rights and pressures students into observing a religion favored by the state.

It was not immediately clear if the groups would seek an broader block of the law beyond the four districts. ACLU of Arkansas Executive Director Holly Bailey said through a spokesperson that “it is clear from this order and long established law that all should refrain from posting” the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms.

Similar requirements enacted in Texas and Louisiana are also being challenged in court. A group of families and faith leaders filed a lawsuit seeking to block Texas’ requirements days after it was signed into law.

Last month in Louisiana — the first state that mandated the Ten Commandments be displayed in classrooms — a panel of three appellate judges ruled that the law was unconstitutional.

The ruling marked a major win for civil liberties groups who say the law violates the separation of church and state. But the legal battle is likely far from over.

Many, including Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill, expect the case to eventually reach the U.S. Supreme Court. Most recently, Murrill filed a petition seeking the full U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit’s review in the matter.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Repeat offender allegedly kills Ohio man just days after nonprofit pays his bail

Ohio Tragedy: Repeat Offender’s Bail Release Ends in Fatal Consequence

In a troubling turn of events, an Ohio man with a history…
Mom arrested on murder charge after body of missing ‘at-risk’ girl Melodee Buzzard found

Mother Charged with Murder Following Discovery of Missing Girl Melodee Buzzard’s Body

The tragic case of missing 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard has come to a…
Jam Master Jay news: Judge voids ruling of 1 of 2 men found guilty of killing Jason Mizell of Run-D.M.C., Karl Jordan Jr.

Judge Overturns Conviction in Jam Master Jay Case: Karl Jordan Jr. Freed

NEW YORK — In a surprising development, one of the convictions in…
JSO: 19-year-old arrested for attempted murder of five people at Arlington house party

19-Year-Old Charged with Attempted Murder of Five at Arlington House Party, JSO Reports

A house party in Arlington turned violent, leading to a shooting that…
Bukele challenges Hillary Clinton to take El Salvador's entire prison population after criticism

Bukele Invites Hillary Clinton to Assume Responsibility for El Salvador’s Inmates Following Her Critique

El Salvador’s President, Nayib Bukele, has issued a response to claims made…
Guilty verdicts in ISIS plot police say could have been 'the deadliest terrorist attack in UK history'

Unveiling the Guilty Verdicts: Inside the Foiled ISIS Plot That Almost Shook the UK

An ISIS-inspired terror scheme targeting the Jewish community in Manchester has heightened…
Pope Leo XIV says he’s ‘very disappointed’ after Illinois approves assisted suicide law

Pope Leo XIV Expresses Disappointment Over Illinois’ New Assisted Suicide Legislation

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker meets with Pope Leo XIV Illinois Governor JB…
Karl-Anthony Towns scores 40 as shorthanded Knicks lose to Wolves, 115-104

Karl-Anthony Towns Shines with 40 Points, Leads Timberwolves to Victory Over Shorthanded Knicks 115-104

Karl-Anthony Towns initiated the action, but it was Julius Randle who had…
Supreme Court National Guard news: Supreme Court ruling keeps Donald Trump's Chicago National Guard deployment blocked, for now

Supreme Court Upholds Block on Trump’s Chicago National Guard Deployment: What It Means for the City

WASHINGTON — In a significant decision on Tuesday, the Supreme Court blocked…
South Austin, Chicago crime: Third suspect charged in beating of Larry Gilkey on CTA bus in 700-block of South Cicero Avenue

Third Suspect Charged in South Austin, Chicago CTA Bus Assault on Larry Gilkey

CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago police announced on Tuesday that a third individual…
Israeli hostages freed, Iran hit, ceasefire held — 2025 shattered idea that US was exiting the Middle East

Israeli Hostages Released, Iran Targeted, Ceasefire Maintained: 2025 Underscores Continued U.S. Engagement in the Middle East

In recent years, Washington has often declared its intention to scale back…
Delaware state trooper killed in DMV shooting incident, gunman also dead with no active threat: officials

Tragic Shooting at Delaware DMV: State Trooper and Gunman Confirmed Dead, No Ongoing Threat

A tragic event unfolded at a Division of Motor Vehicles building in…