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Judge Rules Ten Commandments Monument at Arkansas Capitol Unconstitutional
Baker said the law favors Christianity and is coercive, and she stayed the removal order while Arkansas appeals.
- On Tuesday, U.S. District Chief Judge Kristine Baker ordered the removal of the Ten Commandments Monument from the Arkansas State Capitol grounds, ruling it violates the Establishment Clause but staying the order pending appeal.
- The Arkansas Legislature passed the 2015 Display Act mandating the monument's installation; after a man destroyed the first display in 2017, the current version was erected in 2018, sparking years of litigation.
- Baker wrote the monument "conveys a message that the Christian religion is favored" and is coercive. She noted the law specifies the exact text of the commandments, functioning as "government speech" that excludes non-adherents.
- Arkansas Secretary of State Cole Jester said his office is working with the Attorney General to protect the display, while Senator Jason Rapert vowed to defend the monument, calling the ruling a "slap in the face."
- The monument remains on the grounds while the state appeals to the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals due to Baker's stay. The lawsuit, now in its eighth year, highlights ongoing debates regarding religious symbols on public property.
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Judge orders Ten Commandments monument removed from Arkansas Capitol
A federal judge has ruled that Arkansas must remove the Ten Commandments monument from the State Capitol grounds, but the order is on hold while the state appeals. U.S. District Judge Kristine Baker blocked enforcement of the 2015 law requiring the monument, ruling it violates the U.S. Constitution. However, she stayed the order to give the state time to appeal to the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The lawsuit was filed by several groups, in…
Judge: Remove Ten Commandments from Arkansas Capitol grounds
·Washington, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources16
Leaning Left3Leaning Right2Center9Last UpdatedBias Distribution64% Center
Bias Distribution
- 64% of the sources are Center
64% Center
L 22%
C 64%
14%
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