A federal judge ruled this week to permanently block six Arkansas school districts from posting a framed copy of the Ten Commandments in School Libraries and Classrooms, calling it unconstitutional. Seven families sued the school districts, which include Bentonville, Conway, Fayetteville, Lakeside, Siloam Springs, and Springdale. The lawsuit described the law as a violation of the students’ First Amendment rights. But this is not a statewide ban.
U.S. District Judge Timothy Brooks cited the landmark case of Engel v. Vitale before the High Court back in 1962, regarding prayer in school, to explain his 26-page ruling on Monday, March 16, 2026. Arkansas Lawmakers approved the measure [Senate Bill #433] during the 2025 Arkansas Regular Legislative Session on April 7, 2025, and Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed it into law one week later, on April 14, as Act 573 of 2025. The law stipulates that only donated posters or posters bought through voluntary contributions.
The Arkansas Attorney General’s Office says they will appeal Judge Brooks’ ruling. Another federal judge blocked a similar law in Louisiana in November of 2024. But last month the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals voted to lift that temporary injunction in Louisiana.
Federal Judge Permanently Blocks Arkansas Ten Commandments Law in 6 School Districts
