AUSTIN – The American Civil Liberties Union has announced plans to sue Texas over Senate Bill 10, which requires public schools to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms.
After clearing the Texas Legislature on Wednesday, the bill was sent to Gov. Greg Abbott and is expected to be signed into law.
SB 10 requires public elementary and secondary schools to display the Ten Commandments “in a conspicuous place in each classroom.”
Nearly 45 years ago, the Supreme Court ruled that the First Amendment forbids public schools from posting the Ten Commandments in classrooms.
More recently, a federal court found a similar Louisiana law was unconstitutional.
“SB 10 is blatantly unconstitutional,” an ACLU press release states. “We will be working with Texas public school families to prepare a lawsuit to stop this violation of students’ and parents’ First Amendment rights.”
SB 10 was sponsored by Sen. Phil King and a priority for Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.
When the Senate passed the bill back in March, Patrick issued the following statement: “By placing the Ten Commandments in our public school classrooms, we ensure our students receive the same foundational moral compass as our state and country’s forefathers.”
The ACLU is joined by the ACLU of Texas, Americans United for Separation of Church and State and Freedom From Religion Foundation.
