A federal judge blocked the law that a copy of the Ten Commandments would have been needed in every classroom in Louisiana’s public colleges, universities, and trade schools, in addition to K-12 public schools.

Earlier this year, the GOP-controlled Legislature passed House Bill 71, which Republican Gov. Jeff Landry signed. Mandated a poster-sized copy of the Decalogue — specifically the King James Version — in all public classrooms by January 1. Nine Louisiana families, represented by the American Civil Liberties Union and other groups, sued to stop the law from being implemented.

On Tuesday, U.S. District Court Judge John W. deGravelles issued a 177-page order approving a preliminary injunction blocking the law.

“Plaintiffs face an imminent violation of their First Amendment rights,” wrote deGravelles, who was nominated to the Louisiana Middle District court by former President Barack Obama. DeGravelles ruled that the law violated the Establishment Clause of the US Constitution.

“HB 71 is not religion-neutral, and this is evident from the text of the statute, its effects, and statements by legislators before and after the passage of the act,” he wrote.

Republican state Attorney General Liz Murrill said in a statement that “the decision binds only five of Louisiana’s many school boards.” However, the ruling says the law is unconstitutional “in all applications.” “We strongly disagree with the court’s decision and will immediately appeal as the deadline to implement HB 71 approaches Jan. 1,” Murrill said.

Alanah Odoms, executive director of the ACLU of Louisiana, said in a press release that “today’s ruling ensures that the schools our plaintiff’s children attend will remain focused on learning without promoting a state-favored version of Christianity.” .