US EditionFederal Court Tosses Arkansas 10 Commandments in Classroom Law as Unconstitutional
The court found Act 573 imposes religious doctrine in public schools, violating the First Amendment and prompting a permanent injunction against its enforcement.
- On Monday, March 16, 2026, U.S. District Judge Timothy Brooks permanently blocked Arkansas Act 573, which required public schools to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom, ruling the law violates First Amendment protections.
- Amended in April 2025, the law required all classrooms to display the Ten Commandments derived from the Protestant King James Bible; the court found this mandate violates constitutional protections against government-imposed religious doctrine.
- Citing a 1962 Supreme Court opinion, Brooks stated the law "serves no educational purpose" and that "a union of government and religion tends to destroy government and to degrade religion."
- ACLU of Arkansas Legal Director John C. Williams called the ruling "a resounding affirmation that public schools are not Sunday schools," while Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin plans to appeal the decision.
- The court emphasized that the government must remain neutral on matters of faith; "the law does not require a child to experience a crisis of faith" to establish a First Amendment injury, the court said.
16 Articles
16 Articles
Federal Judge Rules Arkansas Ten Commandments Law Unconstitutional
Fayetteville, Arkansas — A federal judge on Monday permanently blocked enforcement of an Arkansas law requiring Ten Commandments displays in public school classrooms, ruling the measure unconstitutional under the First Amendment. U.S. District Judge Timothy Brooks issued the order affecting six Arkansas school districts, concluding the 2025 law mandating the religious displays in classrooms and libraries violated constitutional protections separ…
Federal judge blocks Arkansas’ Ten Commandments law
The Ten Commandments were on display in a classroom in the Conway School District in August 2025 in adherence to a state law requiring the religious display in taxpayer-funded public buildings, including school classrooms. A federal judge ordered them to be removed. (Screenshot from court documents)A federal judge on Monday permanently blocked six Arkansas school districts from enforcing a state law requiring displays of the Ten Commandments in …
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