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CNN
5 days ago
- Politics
- CNN
Judge blocks four districts from enforcing Arkansas law requiring Ten Commandments in classroom
A new Arkansas law requiring public classrooms to display the Ten Commandments cannot be enforced in a handful of the state's largest school districts where parents brought challenges on the grounds that it violates the separation of church and state, a federal judge ruled Monday. But the ruling by US District Judge Timothy L. Brooks, an appointee of former President Obama, only narrowly applied to four of the state's 237 districts. That left the impact of the decision limited as thousands of Arkansas students prepared to return to class this month. The injunction is the latest legal turn in a widening push in Republican-led states to give religion a bigger presence in public schools. Texas and Louisiana have passed similar laws requiring classrooms to display the Ten Commandments and the issue is expected to eventually reach the US Supreme Court. 'Why would Arkansas pass an obviously unconstitutional law?' Brooks wrote in his 35-page ruling. 'Most likely because the state is part of a coordinated strategy among several states to inject Christian religious doctrine into public-school classrooms.' The Arkansas law, signed earlier this year by Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, takes effect Tuesday and requires the Ten Commandments to be prominently displayed in public school classrooms and libraries. The suit was filed on behalf of the families by the American Civil Liberties Union, Americans United for the Separation of Church and State and the Freedom from Religion Foundation. 'The court saw through this attempt to impose religious doctrine in public schools and upheld every student's right to learn free from government-imposed faith,' John L. Williams, legal director of ACLU of Arkansas said in a statement. 'We're proud to stand with our clients — families of many different backgrounds — who simply want their kids to get an education.' Attorney General Tim Griffin, whose office defended the law, said he was reviewing the decision and assessing legal options. The lawsuit says the requirement violates the families' constitutional rights and pressures students into observing a religion favored by the state. It was not immediately clear if the groups would seek an broader block of the law beyond the four districts. ACLU of Arkansas Executive Director Holly Bailey said through a spokesperson that 'it is clear from this order and long established law that all should refrain from posting' the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms. Similar requirements enacted in Texas and Louisiana are also being challenged in court. A group of families and faith leaders filed a lawsuit seeking to block Texas' requirements days after it was signed into law. Last month in Louisiana — the first state that mandated the Ten Commandments be displayed in classrooms — a panel of three appellate judges ruled that the law was unconstitutional. The ruling marked a major win for civil liberties groups who say the law violates the separation of church and state. But the legal battle is likely far from over. Many, including Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill, expect the case to eventually reach the US Supreme Court. Most recently, Murrill filed a petition seeking the full US Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit's review in the matter.
Associated Press
6 days ago
- Politics
- Associated Press
Judge blocks districts from enforcing Arkansas law requiring Ten Commandments display in classrooms
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) — A federal judge temporarily blocked some of Arkansas' largest school districts from enforcing a new state law that would have required public school classrooms to post copies of the Ten Commandments, hours before the mandate was set to take effect. U.S. District Judge Timothy L. Brooks granted the injunction requested by seven families challenging the measure Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed into law earlier this year. The requirement is similar to laws signed by Republican governors in Texas and Louisiana. Brooks' injunction only blocks the law in four districts in northwest Arkansas — Bentonville, Fayetteville, Siloam Springs and Springdale. In his ruling, Brooks said Supreme Court precedent has found similar public displays of the Ten Commandments to be unconstitutional. 'Why would Arkansas pass an obviously unconstitutional law?' Brooks wrote. 'Most likely because the state is part of a coordinated strategy among several states to inject Christian religious doctrine into public-school classrooms.' The Arkansas law takes effect Tuesday and requires the Ten Commandments to be prominently displayed in public school classrooms and libraries. The suit was filed on behalf of the families by the American Civil Liberties Union, Americans United for the Separation of Church and State and the Freedom from Religion Foundation. 'The court saw through this attempt to impose religious doctrine in public schools and upheld every student's right to learn free from government-imposed faith,' John L. Williams, legal director of ACLU of Arkansas said in a statement. 'We're proud to stand with our clients — families of many different backgrounds — who simply want their kids to get an education.' Attorney General Tim Griffin, whose office defended the law, said he was reviewing the decision and assessing legal options. The lawsuit says the requirement violates the families' constitutional rights and pressures students into observing a religion favored by the state. It was not immediately clear if the groups would seek an broader block of the law beyond the four districts. ACLU of Arkansas Executive Director Holly Bailey said through a spokesperson that 'it is clear from this order and long established law that all should refrain from posting' the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms. Similar requirements enacted in Texas and Louisiana are also being challenged in court. A group of families and faith leaders filed a lawsuit seeking to block Texas' requirements days after it was signed into law. Last month in Louisiana — the first state that mandated the Ten Commandments be displayed in classrooms — a panel of three appellate judges ruled that the law was unconstitutional. The ruling marked a major win for civil liberties groups who say the law violates the separation of church and state. But the legal battle is likely far from over. Many, including Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill, expect the case to eventually reach the U.S. Supreme Court. Most recently, Murrill filed a petition seeking the full U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit's review in the matter.
The Independent
11-06-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Families file suit challenging Arkansas law that requires Ten Commandments be posted in classrooms
Seven Arkansas families filed a lawsuit Wednesday challenging an upcoming state requirement that public school classrooms have posted copies of the Ten Commandments, saying the new law will violate their constitutional rights. The federal lawsuit challenges a measure Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed into law earlier this year, similar to a requirement enacted by Louisiana and one that Texas ' governor has said he'll sign. The Arkansas law takes effect in August and requires the Ten Commandments to be prominently displayed in public school classrooms and libraries. 'Permanently posting the Ten Commandments in every classroom and library — rendering them unavoidable — unconstitutionally pressures students into religious observance, veneration, and adoption of the state's favored religious scripture,' the lawsuit said. The suit was filed on behalf of the families by the American Civil Liberties Union, Americans United for the Separation of Church and State and the Freedom from Religion Foundation. The lawsuit names four school districts in northwest Arkansas — Fayetteville, Bentonville, Siloam Springs and Springdale — as defendants. A spokesperson for Fayetteville schools said the district would not comment on pending litigation, while the other three districts did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A spokesperson for Attorney General Tim Griffin said his office was reviewing the lawsuit and considering options. Attorneys for the families, who are Jewish, Unitarian Universalist or nonreligious, said they planned to ask the federal judge in Fayetteville for a preliminary injunction blocking the law's enforcement. The attorneys say the law violates longstanding Supreme Court precedent and the families' First Amendment rights. 'By imposing a Christian-centric translation of the Ten Commandments on our children for nearly every hour of every day of their public-school education, this law will infringe on our rights as parents and create an unwelcoming and religiously coercive school environment for our children," Samantha Stinson, one of the plaintiffs, said in a news release. Louisiana was the first state to enact such a requirement, and a federal judge blocked the measure before it was to take effect Jan 1. Proponents of Louisiana's law say that ruling only applies to the five school boards listed in the suit, but The Associated Press is unaware of any posters being displayed in schools as the litigation continues. ___
Associated Press
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Families file suit challenging Arkansas law that requires Ten Commandments be posted in classrooms
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Seven Arkansas families filed a lawsuit Wednesday challenging an upcoming state requirement that public school classrooms have posted copies of the Ten Commandments, saying the new law will violate their constitutional rights. The federal lawsuit challenges a measure Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed into law earlier this year, similar to a requirement enacted by Louisiana and one that Texas' governor has said he'll sign. The Arkansas law takes effect in August and requires the Ten Commandments to be prominently displayed in public school classrooms and libraries. 'Permanently posting the Ten Commandments in every classroom and library — rendering them unavoidable — unconstitutionally pressures students into religious observance, veneration, and adoption of the state's favored religious scripture,' the lawsuit said. The suit was filed on behalf of the families by the American Civil Liberties Union, Americans United for the Separation of Church and State and the Freedom from Religion Foundation. The lawsuit names four school districts in northwest Arkansas — Fayetteville, Bentonville, Siloam Springs and Springdale — as defendants. A spokesperson for Fayetteville schools said the district would not comment on pending litigation, while the other three districts did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A spokesperson for Attorney General Tim Griffin said his office was reviewing the lawsuit and considering options. Attorneys for the families, who are Jewish, Unitarian Universalist or nonreligious, said they planned to ask the federal judge in Fayetteville for a preliminary injunction blocking the law's enforcement. The attorneys say the law violates longstanding Supreme Court precedent and the families' First Amendment rights. 'By imposing a Christian-centric translation of the Ten Commandments on our children for nearly every hour of every day of their public-school education, this law will infringe on our rights as parents and create an unwelcoming and religiously coercive school environment for our children,' Samantha Stinson, one of the plaintiffs, said in a news release. Louisiana was the first state to enact such a requirement, and a federal judge blocked the measure before it was to take effect Jan 1. Proponents of Louisiana's law say that ruling only applies to the five school boards listed in the suit, but The Associated Press is unaware of any posters being displayed in schools as the litigation continues. ___ Associated Press Writer Sara Cline in Baton Rouge, Louisiana contributed to this report
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
The Ark Encounter offers free police training while critics twist the story
Stephen Kees, a local dentist and supporter of the Ark Encounter, hit the nail on the head when he said, "No good deed goes unpunished," about the recent hit-piece in the Enquirer regarding public safety training at the Ark. Law enforcement departments have used our sprawling attraction south of Cincinnati to train canine officers and their dogs to be more effective in supporting public safety in their communities. The Ark seeks to be a good citizen by hosting the event, but when the atheist group, the Freedom From Religion Foundation, hears about it and goes into a frenzy, it writes threatening legal letters to police agencies that attended − and catches the eye of the Enquirer. More: Kentucky police agencies paid for proselytizing canine training at Ark Encounter Buried deep in the article is a quote from a law enforcement agency about optional talks for officers to attend. Before each day of training, as well as at the end of the day, Bible studies were offered for those who wanted to attend in their personal time. Such studies were not a part of the actual course and were not mandatory. The article falsely suggests that officers had to attend and hear messages about the Ark and other religious topics. Some of the best training a canine officer could receive occurs on the grounds of the Ark Encounter. The conference, led by one of our officers, founder of the Police and Professional Dog Training Association and a world-renowned dog handler, helps canine handlers from law enforcement enhance their dogs' training, handling and performance. The Ark's own canine department (eight units) also benefits from the training as it fulfills a commitment to the safety of the one million-plus guests who visit annually. This is the same public safety department at the Ark and Creation Museum that regularly loans out its specialized services to counties nearby for search/rescue and other tasks. In 2024, we received 34 calls for service. Our canine units have even helped clear public schools when there have been bomb threats. All these services were offered at no charge. Opinion: When police lose support, we lose morale and good people like Larry Henderson Also, canine officers from law enforcement departments representing Boone and Grant counties attend the safety training at no charge since we have a good relationship with these agencies in our backyard. A law enforcement agency anywhere in the East would be foolish not to consider having canine training here. It's our honor to be of service to them. Ken Ham is the co-founder and CEO of Answers in Genesis, a Christian apologetics organization that operates the Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter in Kentucky. Mark Looy is the co-founder and chief communications officer of Answers in Genesis. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio police benefit from Ark training. Why the controversy? | Opinion
