A federal judge on Monday struck down an Arkansas law that required public schools to prominently display the Ten Commandments in classrooms, ruling the mandate violated constitutional protections.

U.S. District Court Judge Timothy Brooks issued a permanent injunction blocking several school districts from implementing Act 573, which would have required the religious text to be displayed in public school classrooms across the state.

In his ruling, Brooks determined the law violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, which prohibits government endorsement of religion. The judge also found the mandate infringed upon the free exercise rights of the plaintiffs who challenged the law.

The ruling prevents affected school districts from moving forward with displaying the Ten Commandments while the legal challenge proceeds. Brooks characterized the law's purpose as displaying "a sacred, religious text in a prominent" manner in public educational settings.

The decision represents the latest development in ongoing legal battles over religious displays in public institutions. Similar laws in other states have faced constitutional challenges based on the separation of church and state principles established in Supreme Court precedent.