A federal judge on Tuesday blocked a Louisiana law requiring the display of the “Ten Commandments” in all classrooms of state-funded schools, from kindergarten to university. According to Judge John deGravelles, the law which is to come into force on January 1 is clearly unconstitutional and “in all its applications”. Louisiana public schools were expected to begin preparing for the display as early as Friday.
“Each of Plaintiffs’ minor children will be forced “in every sense of the word,” by Louisiana’s mandatory attendance policy, to be a “captive audience” and participate in a religious exercise: read and review a specific version of the Ten Commandments, displayed in every classroom, throughout the school year, regardless of the age of the student or the subject of the course,” wrote the judge appointed to the federal bench by Barack Obama.
Lawyers for the plaintiffs applauded the decision, which they say protects the constitutional principle of separation of church and state.
“This decision should be a reality check for Louisiana lawmakers who want to use public schools to convert children to their preferred version of Christianity,” said Heather Weaver, senior attorney for the ACLU’s Freedom of Religion and Freedom Program. belief, in a press release. “Public schools are not Sunday schools, and today’s decision ensures that our clients’ classrooms will remain spaces where all students, regardless of faith, feel welcomed.” »
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said she will appeal the decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit, one of the most conservative in the country. Like other supporters of the law, she considers that the “Ten Commandments” are not a purely religious text but a historical document without which we cannot understand the modern legal system.
In 1980, the Supreme Court struck down a law similar to Louisiana’s. The composition of the highest court has obviously changed since then.
(Photo AP)
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