A Harris County district court denied a request for a temporary restraining order seeking to block enforcement of Texas’ Ten Commandments law, S.B. 10, marking an important early victory against the latest legal challenge to the historic law.

Judge Bruce Bain, today, denied that request for immediate relief, allowing the law to remain in effect while the litigation proceeds. Texas Values was on site and hosted a press conference on the steps of the Harris County Civil Court directly after the court hearing on the Temporary Restraining Order request. View Texas Values' press conference here.

Texas Values Director of Policy Jonathan Covey released the following statement:

"Today is an important victory for Texas students, parents, and the rule of law. The plaintiffs asked a court to block a duly enacted Texas law and remove the Ten Commandments from classroom walls—and the court said no. Seeing something is not the same thing as being forced to believe it. The Ten Commandments remain on classroom walls today, and we are confident that as this fight continues, Texas will keep winning."

The lawsuit, Roth v. State of Texas, was filed by three plaintiffs against the State of Texas, asked the court to halt enforcement of SB 10 and require Spring Branch ISD to remove Ten Commandments posters already displayed in its classrooms.

SB 10 requires Texas public elementary and secondary schools to display a durable copy or poster of the Ten Commandments in each classroom when the statutory requirements are met. The Roth plaintiffs argue that the displays substantially burden their and their children's religious exercise, including by conflicting with their religious beliefs and allegedly creating pressure on their children to accept or revere the Ten Commandments.

Texas Values has been at the forefront of efforts to support the passage and implementation of SB 10 and will continue working with parents, lawmakers, and school districts to defend the law and ensure Texas students understand the historical foundations that helped shape American law and government.

Texas Values has been a leading advocate for Senate Bill 10 from its introduction through its implementation, working with lawmakers, educating the public, and helping school districts comply with the new law. Find more information at our microsite, TenCommandmentsTexas.com.

Jimmy Barrett