A federal appeals court in New Orleans has put a hold on Louisiana's plan to require all public school classrooms to post the Ten Commandments. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the state's request to temporarily stay an earlier order by U.S. District Judge John deGravelles in Baton Rouge while litigation continues. Arguments before a 5th Circuit panel are scheduled for Jan. 23.
The state argues that the order only affects the five school districts named in the legal challenge, leaving uncertainty about enforcement in the state's other 67 districts. The law, passed by the GOP-dominated Legislature, was deemed unconstitutional by deGravelles for being overtly religious and coercive towards students.
