The lawsuit filed Monday seeks a court declaration that the new Louisiana law violates First Amendment clauses forbidding government establishment of religion and guaranteeing religious liberty.
Civil liberties groups filed a lawsuit Monday to block in every public school classroom — a measure they contend is unconstitutional.
Plaintiffs in the suit include parents of Louisiana public school children, represented by attorneys with the American Civil Liberties Union, Americans United for Separation of Church and State and the Freedom From Religion Foundation.
Under the legislation signed into law by Republican Gov. Jeff Landry last week, all public K-12 classrooms and state-funded universities will be required to display a poster-sized version of the Ten Commandments in « large, easily readable font » next year.
Opponents argue that the law is a violation of separation of church and state and that the display will isolate students, especially those who are not Christian. Proponents say the measure is not solely religious but that it has historical significance. In the language of the law, the Ten Commandments are « foundational documents of our state and national government. »
The lawsuit filed Monday seeks a court declaration that the new law, referred to in the lawsuit as HB 71, violates First Amendment clauses forbidding government establishment of religion and guaranteeing religious liberty. It also seeks an order prohibiting the posting of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms.
The ACLU said its complaint represented « parents who are rabbis, pastors, and reverends.
