Arkansas Ten Commandments law blocked that mandates classroom display
FILE - A copy of the Ten Commandments is displayed in a classroom at Bagdad Elementary School in Leander, Texas, on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. (Jay Janner/The Austin American-Statesman via Getty Images)
A judge struck down this week an Arkansas law mandating schools display the Ten Commandments.
Here is what to know about the law, and where the battle over its legality is headed:
Arkansas 10 Commandments lawsuit
The backstory:
Last year, seven Arkansas families of various religious and nonreligious backgrounds filed a lawsuit challenging the state's new law requiring all public elementary and secondary schools to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom and library. The lawsuit named six school districts in Arkansas as defendants.
What they're saying:
On Monday, U.S. District Court Judge Timothy L. Brooks said in his written judgment striking down the law that "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 other side:
Advocates of the legislation say the Ten Commandments have historical significance and are part of the foundation of the U.S.
Critics argue that the mandate is unconstitutional and violates separation of church and state.
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What's next:
It’s unclear how far-reaching Brooks’ decision is. It may be limited to the specific school districts named in the lawsuit, or it could apply to the entire state.
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said that she plans to appeal the ruling.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Gov. Sanders wrote, "In Arkansas, we do in fact believe that murder is wrong and stealing is bad. It is entirely appropriate to display the Ten Commandments — the basis of all Western law and morality — as a reminder to students, state employees, and every Arkansan who enters a government building, and I look forward to appealing this suit and defending our state’s values."
Meanwhile:
Louisiana and Texas also have laws requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms that have been met with legal challenges.
Many expect the issue to eventually be decided by the Supreme Court.
The Source: Information in this article was taken from a March 16, 2026, written judgement in U.S. District Court by Judge Timothy L. Brooks, as obtained and reported by The Associated Press. Background information was taken from The Associated Press, FOX News Digital and Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders social media account. This story was reported from Detroit.