Louisiana last year passed a law requiring all public elementary, secondary, and postsecondary schools to display posters of the 10 Commandments. Gov. Jeff Landry is shown signing the bill above. It is not meant to proselytize or convert someone to Judaism or Christianity, rather pay tribute to the 10 Commandments and its impact on American history and the nation's legal system. 
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) argues the law "violates longstanding Supreme Court precedent" and the First Amendment.
"More than 40 years ago, in Stone v. Graham, the Supreme Court overturned a similar state statute, holding that the First Amendment bars public schools from posting the Ten Commandments in classrooms," the ACLU said in a 2024 press release announcing intentions to file a lawsuit.
In November 2024, a federal judge ruled the law unconstitutional. That was appealed to the 5th Circuit which heard arguments on January 23, 2025.
Attorney Joe Davis at Becket, the law firm representing Louisiana,
says the appeals court should rule in favor of the state.
"There's a big difference between establishing a religion, which the Constitution says you can't do, and acknowledging religious aspects of American history and culture, which is what Louisiana is trying to do here," says Davis. "There's absolutely nothing wrong with telling students about the 10 Commandments as an aspect of American history and culture and as an influence in our legal system, and in fact, the Supreme Court has explicitly recognized that the 10 Commandments are an important part of our legal history and culture."
Attorney General Liz Murrill said in a statement that Louisiana looks forward to the decision.
"The Constitution does not bar our Legislature's attempt to teach our students what the Supreme Court has repeatedly said: The Ten Commandments have historical significance as a foundation of our legal system," said Murrill.
