Seven families in Arkansas have filed a federal lawsuit challenging a state law requiring public schools to post the Ten Commandments in classrooms and libraries. Signed by Republican Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the law is set to take effect in August and follows similar measures enacted in Louisiana and planned in Texas. The lawsuit argues that prominently displaying the Ten Commandments violates the constitutional rights of students by exerting undue religious pressure on them.
Represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, and the Freedom from Religion Foundation, the affected families—comprising Jewish, Unitarian Universalist, and nonreligious individuals—claim that the law forces a Christian-centric viewpoint on children. They seek a preliminary injunction to prevent the law’s enforcement, asserting it contravenes First Amendment rights and longstanding Supreme Court decisions.
The lawsuit identifies four northwest Arkansas school districts—Fayetteville, Bentonville, Siloam Springs, and Springdale—as defendants. Responses from these districts have been minimal, with Fayetteville’s spokesperson declining to comment on pending litigation while others did not provide immediate feedback. The state’s Attorney General, Tim Griffin, announced that his office is reviewing the lawsuit.
One plaintiff, Samantha Stinson, highlighted the intrusive nature of the law, stating that it would create a coercive and unwelcoming environment for students, infringing on parental rights and imposing a specific religious doctrine on public education. The situation echoes previous legal battles surrounding similar laws, notably in Louisiana, where a judge blocked its implementation before it took effect. As litigation progresses, questions remain about the enforcement of such religious displays in schools.
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