A federal judge on Tuesday temporarily blocked a Louisiana law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public school classrooms.

U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles called the law “unconstitutional on its face.”

BREAKING: A Louisiana law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public classrooms has been temporarily blocked by a federal judge. https://t.co/sna9ZyRbF2

— The Associated Press (@AP) November 12, 2024

From the Associated Press:

U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles in Baton Rouge said the law had an “overtly religious” purpose, and rejected state officials’ claims that the government can mandate the posting of the Ten Commandments because they hold historical significance to the foundation of U.S. law. His opinion noted that no other foundational documents — including the Constitution or the Bill of Rights — must be posted.

“We strongly disagree with the court’s decision and will immediately appeal,” Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said in a statement, according to the Associated Press.

“deGravelles issued an order Tuesday granting the plaintiffs’ request for a preliminary injunction, which means the state can’t begin its plan to promote and create rules surrounding the law as soon as Friday while the litigation plays out,” NBC News noted.

The law said schools had to comply by January 1st.

A new Louisiana law that requires the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every public classroom by Jan. 1 has been temporarily blocked after a federal judge granted a preliminary injunction, according to the Associated Press>>https://t.co/jGSkHIIU5o pic.twitter.com/1OebQBcin7

— FOX 8 New Orleans (@FOX8NOLA) November 12, 2024

BREAKING: Louisiana law requiring the Ten Commandments in schools is unconstitutional, judge rules https://t.co/weSlMcRzpu

— NOLA.com (@NOLAnews) November 12, 2024

Per NBC News:

In the meantime, deGravelles, who heard arguments over the legislation on Oct. 21, ordered her office to “provide notice to all schools that the Act has been found unconstitutional.”

“Each of the Plaintiffs’ minor children will be forced ‘in every practical sense,’ through Louisiana’s required attendance policy, to be a ‘captive audience’ and to participate in a religious exercise: reading and considering a specific version of the Ten Commandments, one posted in every single classroom, for the entire school year, regardless of the age of the student or subject matter of the course,” the judge wrote.

Lawyers representing the plaintiffs applauded the judge’s decision.

“This ruling should serve as a reality check for Louisiana lawmakers who want to use public schools to convert children to their preferred brand of Christianity,” Heather Weaver, a senior staff attorney for the ACLU’s Program on Freedom of Religion and Belief, said in a statement. “Public schools are not Sunday schools, and today’s decision ensures that our clients’ classrooms will remain spaces where all students, regardless of their faith, feel welcomed.”