A federal appeals court has ruled that Louisiana may begin enforcing a law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public school classrooms. The full United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit voted 12 to 6 to lift a lower court injunction that had blocked the measure, which was signed into law by Governor Jeff Landry in June 2024.

The American Civil Liberties Union and other civil rights groups challenged the law, arguing that it would expose students to a religious message in mandatory educational settings and violate the First Amendment prohibition on government establishment of religion. The appeals court, however, determined it was premature to rule on the law’s constitutionality before it had been enacted.

Under the law, public schools from elementary through post secondary levels must display a poster sized copy of the Ten Commandments along with a statement describing its historical influence on American law and government. Schools are also permitted to display other historical documents, such as the Declaration of Independence and the Mayflower Compact. Supporters, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, have expressed confidence that the law will withstand further legal challenges.