The federal appeals court in New Orleans has denied the state’s request to overturn a lower court ruling that struck down a Louisiana law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms. The law will continue to be enforced in 67 school districts while staying in five districts involved in ongoing litigation until a final decision is made.
The Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the state’s appeal on Nov. 20, upholding U.S. District Judge John deGravelles’s ruling that the law is unconstitutional. The court limited the block to the five districts in the lawsuit, allowing the law to be enforced in the remaining districts.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill welcomed the decision, stating that the district court overstepped its authority by ordering statewide notification of the law’s unconstitutionality. Murrill expressed eagerness to work with school boards in the unaffected districts to implement the law.
The legal battle over the Ten Commandments law is ongoing, with arguments scheduled before a Fifth Circuit panel in January 2025. Despite the enforcement deadline on Jan. 1, 67 school districts will be required to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms and universities.
The law, passed in June 2024, mandates the display of the Ten Commandments in a specific format and includes a historical context statement. The law was challenged in court on grounds of violating constitutional rights. Judge deGravelles deemed the law unconstitutional in his ruling. Please rewrite this sentence for me.
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