Ten Commandments Monument (Little Rock, Arkansas) facts for kids
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| Coordinates | 34°44′45.3″N 92°17′23.6″W / 34.745917°N 92.289889°W |
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| Location | Little Rock, Arkansas |
| Material | Granite |
| Opening date | June 27, 2017 |
| Restored date | April 26, 2018 |
The Ten Commandments Monument is a stone monument placed outside the Arkansas State Capitol building in Little Rock, Arkansas. This monument has caused some debate. Groups like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) say it might not follow the rules of the First Amendment. This part of the U.S. Constitution helps make sure the government does not favor one religion over others. The ACLU believes the monument shows a religious preference, which could go against the U.S. and Arkansas State Constitutions.
First Time It Was Put Up
The monument was first put on the Arkansas State Capitol grounds on June 27, 2017. But, less than 24 hours later, it was damaged. Someone knocked it down.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) had already said that putting the monument on government land was not right. However, they also said that damaging the monument was wrong. FFRF explained that they do not agree with breaking the law to remove something, even if they disagree with it being there.
New Monument and Court Cases
After the first monument was damaged, State Senator Jason Rapert helped raise money from private citizens. A new monument was put in its place on April 26, 2018.
To show their disagreement, The Satanic Temple offered to donate a different statue. This was a bronze sculpture of Baphomet. They wanted it to show that many different religions should be respected. This idea is called religious pluralism.
However, a law from 2017 in Arkansas says that the state legislature must approve any new monument. The Baphomet statue was not approved. The Satanic Temple said that allowing one monument (the Ten Commandments) but not another (Baphomet) showed an unfair religious preference.
On August 16, 2018, The Satanic Temple briefly showed their statue at the Capitol. State Senator Rapert said he respects everyone's right to speak freely. But he also said that it would be very difficult for a statue he found offensive to be placed permanently on the Capitol grounds.
After their request to install the Baphomet statue was turned down, members of The Satanic Temple were allowed to take legal action. This means they could challenge the Ten Commandments monument in court. They argued that their right to equal protection was violated.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is still challenging the monument. They believe it shows a religious preference, which goes against the First Amendment. The Freedom from Religion Foundation, the American Humanist Association, and the Arkansas Society of Freethinkers are also part of the court cases against the monument.
