Trending Now - Judge Blocks Arkansas Law Mandating Ten Commandments in Schools
WHO:
Megan Bailey, spokesperson for the American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas
Jeff Landry, Governor of Louisiana
Wade Rousse, President of Louisiana State University
U.S. District Judge Timothy Brooks, an appointee of President Barack Obama
Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders
Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin
Seven families from differing religious and nonreligious backgrounds
U.S. District Judge Timothy Brooks
Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders
Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin
Seven families from differing religious and nonreligious backgrounds
ACLU of Arkansas
Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United for Separation of Church and State
Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation
John C. Williams, legal director for ACLU of Arkansas
WHAT:
The Arkansas law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments was permanently blocked by U.S. District Judge Timothy Brooks on March 16, 2026.
The ruling applies specifically to six school districts named in the lawsuit.
Judge Brooks stated, "And the only reason to display a sacred, religious text in every classroom is to proselytize to children. The State has said the quiet part out loud."
Brooks noted that students are unable to avoid reading the Ten Commandments, stating, "Children cannot similarly avoid reading the Ten Commandments posted in their classrooms for thirteen years of compulsory schooling."
The Arkansas Attorney General’s office confirmed the state intends to appeal the ruling.
A federal judge permanently blocked several Arkansas school districts from displaying the Ten Commandments in classrooms.
The law in question is Arkansas Act 573, passed in April 2025.
The ruling applies to six specific school districts.
Judge Brooks stated, "Act 573’s purpose is only to display a sacred, religious text in a prominent place in every public-school classroom."
The judge described the law as "coercive" and lacking educational purpose.
The ruling is not a statewide ban but affects specific districts where the lawsuit was filed.
WHERE:
Arkansas, specifically six school districts involved in the lawsuit.
WHEN:
The ruling was made on March 16, 2026.
Arkansas Act 573 was passed in April 2025.
WHY:
Judge Brooks stated, "One doesn’t exist," referring to any constitutional display mandated by the 2025 law.
The ACLU of Arkansas described the ruling as "a victory for religious freedom and church-state separation."
Brooks found the law "absurd in its reach" and stated, “Nothing could possibly justify hanging the Ten Commandments — with or without historical context — in a calculus, chemistry, French, or woodworking class, to name a few.”
The law was deemed unconstitutional as it violated the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause.
The judge found that the law served no educational purpose and was intended to promote a specific religious doctrine.
HOW:
The ruling could potentially expand its scope to the rest of Arkansas’s classrooms if it passes the appeals process.
Brooks referenced that the Supreme Court has determined that a state law mandating the posting of the Ten Commandments in public schools violates the Establishment Clause if not integrated into the curriculum.
The ruling was based on legal precedent established by the Supreme Court regarding religious displays in public schools.
The judge noted that the law did not include terms like "curriculum" or "educate," indicating a lack of educational intent.
(UPDATED March 18, 2026 13:26 UTC)
A U.S. District Judge has permanently blocked an Arkansas law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in six school districts, a ruling made on March 16, 2026. Judge Timothy Brooks stated that there is no constitutional basis for such a display, and the ACLU of Arkansas hailed the decision as a victory for religious freedom and the separation of church and state. This ruling may also set a precedent that could extend to classrooms across the entire state if it survives the appeals process.
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(UPDATED March 18, 2026 01:30 UTC)
U.S. District Judge Timothy Brooks ruled against a law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in Arkansas classrooms, stating that such a mandate serves only to proselytize to children and is "absurd in its reach." He emphasized that students cannot avoid reading the Ten Commandments during their compulsory schooling and referenced Supreme Court decisions that deem similar laws a violation of the Establishment Clause if not tied to the curriculum. In response, Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin confirmed that the state plans to appeal this ruling.
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(UPDATED March 17, 2026 23:19 UTC)
A federal judge has permanently blocked several Arkansas school districts from displaying the Ten Commandments in classrooms, ruling that the law behind this, Arkansas Act 573, is unconstitutional and violates the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause. Judge Timothy Brooks stated that the law, which was passed in April 2025, serves no educational purpose and is intended solely to promote a specific religious doctrine, describing it as "coercive." This ruling, made on March 16, 2026, specifically affects six districts involved in the lawsuit and is based on legal precedents regarding religious displays in public schools.