Tony Perkins to Participate in Key Fifth Circuit Hearing on Louisiana's Ten Commandments Law
In a pivotal legal case, Tony Perkins, the President of the Family Research Council (FRC) and a former Louisiana state legislator, is set to attend oral arguments in a significant lawsuit concerning the display of the Ten Commandments in schools. Scheduled for January 20, 2026, this hearing will take place at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in New Orleans. The court will review the case of Roake v. Brumley, which centers on public law mandating the prominent display of the Ten Commandments in classrooms across Louisiana. This legislation faced backlash, leading to a ruling last year from a three-judge panel of the Fifth Circuit deeming the law unconstitutional, a decision which was initially supported by a district court that blocked the implementation of this law.
The current oral arguments will reconsider the state’s appeal against that ruling. Accompanying Perkins will be legal representatives from the FRC, who earlier submitted an amicus brief advocating for the appellants in an effort to overturn the earlier decision. The essence of FRC's argument is rooted in the belief that banning displays of the Ten Commandments overlooks the historical and religious influences that have shaped the United States. The brief elaborates that such a display in schools does not equate to coercing students into participating in a religious practice, thereby maintaining its constitutionality. According to the FRC, the original context of the Establishment Clause focuses on whether individuals are being coerced by law into participating in a formal religious practice. They assert that the passive nature of displaying the Ten Commandments does not fulfill this criterion of coercion.
Perkins emphasizes that any discomfort experienced by students upon seeing such displays should not be interpreted as coercion under legal frameworks. Following the oral arguments, Perkins will be available for media interviews. The oral arguments are slated to commence at 1:00 PM Central Time at the John Minor Wisdom United States Court of Appeals Building located at 600 Camp Street, New Orleans, LA. Interested media parties can request interviews via the provided contact information. This upcoming court session not only represents a crucial point in Louisiana’s educational law but also mirrors broader national debates concerning religion's role in public institutions. As the hearing draws near, both proponents and opponents of the Ten Commandments display in schools prepare for what is expected to be a significant legal battle reflecting the divergent opinions on this contentious issue.
The current oral arguments will reconsider the state’s appeal against that ruling. Accompanying Perkins will be legal representatives from the FRC, who earlier submitted an amicus brief advocating for the appellants in an effort to overturn the earlier decision. The essence of FRC's argument is rooted in the belief that banning displays of the Ten Commandments overlooks the historical and religious influences that have shaped the United States. The brief elaborates that such a display in schools does not equate to coercing students into participating in a religious practice, thereby maintaining its constitutionality. According to the FRC, the original context of the Establishment Clause focuses on whether individuals are being coerced by law into participating in a formal religious practice. They assert that the passive nature of displaying the Ten Commandments does not fulfill this criterion of coercion.
Perkins emphasizes that any discomfort experienced by students upon seeing such displays should not be interpreted as coercion under legal frameworks. Following the oral arguments, Perkins will be available for media interviews. The oral arguments are slated to commence at 1:00 PM Central Time at the John Minor Wisdom United States Court of Appeals Building located at 600 Camp Street, New Orleans, LA. Interested media parties can request interviews via the provided contact information. This upcoming court session not only represents a crucial point in Louisiana’s educational law but also mirrors broader national debates concerning religion's role in public institutions. As the hearing draws near, both proponents and opponents of the Ten Commandments display in schools prepare for what is expected to be a significant legal battle reflecting the divergent opinions on this contentious issue.
Topics Policy & Public Interest）
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