Texas law requiring Ten Commandments in schools blocked by federal judge
A federal judge has temporarily blocked a Texas law requiring public schools to display the Ten Commandments. The ruling follows a lawsuit from families who argue the measure violates the US Constitution. Judge Orlando L. Garcia issued the preliminary injunction on Tuesday, halting enforcement while further court proceedings take place.
The Texas law, signed by Republican Governor Greg Abbott in June, faced immediate legal challenges. Families from diverse religious backgrounds claimed it breached the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. Their lawsuit argued that mandatory displays of the Ten Commandments in schools imposed unwelcome religious messaging on students.
Judge Garcia agreed, stating that enforcing the law would make it impossible to shield pupils from religious displays they may oppose. The injunction requires affected school districts to remove existing posters while the case continues.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton responded by suing two unnamed school districts for refusing to comply with the original law. Meanwhile, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Texas hailed the ruling as a 'win for religious freedom'. Daniel Mach, director of the ACLU’s Program on Freedom of Religion and Belief, called it a 'victory' for the plaintiffs.
This decision marks the latest in a string of legal battles over similar laws in Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana. Courts have repeatedly intervened to prevent mandatory religious displays in public schools.
The temporary restraining order remains in effect until the court reaches a final decision. Schools must now remove the Ten Commandments displays while the lawsuit proceeds. The outcome will determine whether the Texas law can be enforced in its current form.
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