Louisiana officials revealed several Ten Commandments posters on Monday that might soon adorn state classrooms. These posters include images of House Speaker Mike Johnson, the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and “Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill clarified that the displayed posters are preliminary options for schools to comply with a new law mandating the Ten Commandments be posted in all public school classrooms.
One poster, titled “The House of Representatives and the Lawgivers,” presents the Ten Commandments alongside a stone carving of “Moses the Lawgiver” and a photo of House Speaker Mike Johnson, a representative from Louisiana.
Another poster features a photo of Ginsburg and a quote from her school paper, written at age 13, praising four significant documents: the Ten Commandments, the Magna Carta, the English Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence.
A third poster, titled “Ten (Duel) Commandments,” includes an image of Moses next to Lin-Manuel Miranda in the role of Alexander Hamilton from the musical “Hamilton.” The poster references a song from the musical inspired by Notorious B.I.G.’s “Ten Crack Commandments.”
Additional posters include quotes from former Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall and Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
“These posters demonstrate there are constitutional ways to implement this law,” Murrill stated.
The unveiling follows a law signed by Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry two months ago that requires every public school classroom to display the Ten Commandments. A lawsuit from Louisiana parents and civil rights groups challenges the law, arguing it violates the establishment clause of the US Constitution, which prohibits the government from establishing a religion.
Murrill announced a brief would be filed on Monday to dismiss the case, arguing no harm has occurred since the law is not yet enacted.
A federal court has ordered that the state cannot issue advice, rules, or regulations regarding the requirement until at least November 15.
The Supreme Court has previously ruled on cases involving the Ten Commandments in public spaces. In 1980, the court struck down a Kentucky law requiring the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms. In 2005, the justices issued split decisions, allowing a Ten Commandments exhibit at the Texas Capitol but barring displays at two Kentucky courthouses.
Gov. Landry defended the Louisiana law at the news conference, stating it did not favour any single religion. “The Ten Commandments are recognised by many religions,” he said. To nonreligious parents, he advised, “Tell the child not to look at it.”