Governor Kay Ivey on Friday signed legislation into law requiring public schools to display the Ten Commandments after two years of Democratic backlash in the legislature.
The legislation was sponsored by State Sen. Keith Kelley (R-Anniston) and carried in the House by State Rep. Mark Gidley (R-Hokes Bluff). The legislation requires each local board of education in the state to display the Ten Commandments, along with a context statement, in each history classroom serving students in grades 5 through 12. The display would have to be donated or purchased with donated funds. Per the legislation, the commandments would also have to be displayed in a common area of each school that serves only fifth-grade students or above.
The legislature cleared the bill on Thursday, the final day of the session. Ivey signed the bill into law on Friday. It goes into effect on October 1.
"In Alabama, we proudly remember that we live in one nation under God," Ivey said in a statement. "The Ten Commandments – like the Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights – are critical to understanding the founding of our country. Especially as we approach the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, it is of the utmost importance Alabama's children understand the history of this great country we call home. That absolutely includes a foundational document like the Ten Commandments."
The bill was attempted last year but never made it to the finish line after pushback from Democratic lawmakers and underwent several revisions.
The bill also endured massive protests from Democratic lawmakers. However, some voted in favor and spoke in emphatic support.
Some claimed the law violates the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution. However, supporters believe the several revisions make it legally bulletproof, treating the displays as more historical than religious, and including a multi-page preamble that opines on the Ten Commandments' historical impact on America and Western civilization.
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