Overview

• U.S. District Judge Timothy L. Brooks granted a preliminary injunction on August 4 blocking enforcement in Bentonville, Fayetteville, Siloam Springs and Springdale school districts.
• Act 573 mandated a specific Protestant-associated version of the Ten Commandments in 16-by-20-inch displays in every public school classroom and library across Arkansas.
• The lawsuit, filed in June by seven multi-faith families represented by the ACLU of Arkansas, Americans United for Separation of Church and State and the Freedom From Religion Foundation, argues the law violates the Establishment and Free Exercise Clauses.
• Judge Brooks cited the 1980 Supreme Court decision in Stone v. Graham as binding precedent that renders the Arkansas statute plainly unconstitutional.
• Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin is reviewing the ruling and considering appeals while similar mandates in Texas and Louisiana remain blocked pending higher-court review.