213:
money had been spent on the monument, the plaintiffs argued that using public ground was also a violation of
Article II, Section 5 of the Oklahoma Constitution. The lower court, using a different interpretation of the Constitution's language decided in favor of the defendant (the commission), and allowed the monument to be established on the capitol grounds. The passage that served as the crux of the argument between the two sides is quoted here:
350:
250:'s ban on the use of public property to support religion. The decision has proved extremely controversial, with some conservative state lawmakers even calling for impeachment of the Oklahoma Supreme Court and/or amending of the Oklahoma Constitution to remove its ban on state religious support. The monument was removed from the Capitol grounds in October 2015.
317:, about 10 blocks away. This may be only a temporary solution. The next day, Governor Fallin called for a constitutional amendment to allow the Ten Commandments to return to the capitol. "The people of Oklahoma should be able to vote on whether to bring the Ten Commandments monument back to the Capitol."
482:
Arkansas did install a nearly identical Ten
Commandments monument on its capitol grounds in Little Rock on June 27, 2017. On the next day, Michael Tate Reid drove a 2016 Dodge Dart automobile into the monument, breaking it into at least three pieces. Reed also made a video of the crash and posted it
403:
Reed described himself as “unemployed/disabled". He had posted on his
Facebook page that he was "...a firm believer that part of salvation is that we not only have faith in Jesus Christ, but we obey the commands of God, and that we confess Jesus as Lord." Reed wrote on Facebook, "But one thing I do
472:
Bruce
Prescott, a Baptist minister, said "Frankly, I'm glad we finally got the governor and attorney general to agree to let the monument be moved to private property, which is where I believe it's most appropriate... I'm not opposed to the Ten Commandments. The first sermon I ever preached was on
217:
No public money or property shall ever be appropriated, applied, donated, or used, directly or indirectly, for the use, benefit, or support of any sect, church, denomination, or system of religion, or for the use, benefit, or support of any priest, preacher, minister, or other religious teacher or
212:
Oklahoma citizens Bruce
Prescott, James Huff and Cheryl Huff, filed suit in a state court over the placement of the Ten Commandments religious monument on public property. The defendant was the Capitol Preservation Commission, which had given permission for the action. Even though no public (tax)
120:
issues, destruction in 2014 by a man who drove his car into it, replacement in the same location, and even attempts to remove
Supreme Court justices who ruled in 2014 that the monument must be removed to another site. After Governor Mary Fallin, key legislators, and the justices agreed on a
417:
Pruitt, a career
Republican politician, and strongly religious conservative) is probably best known for his opposition to environmental regulations. As of early 2017 he was Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, following his appointment by President Donald
325:
A November 2016 ballot initiative, known as State
Question 790, proposed repealing the section of the Oklahoma Constitution that prohibits using state resources to promote particular religious views. Voters defeated the measure: 809,254 (57.12%) to 607,482 (42.88%).
233:, then the Attorney General of the State of Oklahoma, assisted by two other attorneys from his office. Pruitt asserted that the Oklahoma Constitution did not apply, largely because no state money was used to buy or install the monument.
492:
HB 2177 specifically authorizes display of the following documents on public property: the Magna Carta, Mayflower
Compact, Declaration of Independence, United States Constitution, Bill of Rights, Oklahoma Constitution, and the Ten
190:. The perpetrator was arrested at the scene and gave police the name Michael Tate Reed. He was later confirmed to be the same man who attacked the Oklahoma City monument. Reed even videotaped the attack on Facebook. Reed, who has
300:
ordered the monument removed, the statue was unveiled elsewhere in
Detroit and is now on public display at Salem Art Gallery in Salem, MA. The statue may be moved to Arkansas if a Ten Commandments monument is erected there.
149:
In 2014, a man deliberately rammed the newly installed monument with a car, knocking it over and breaking the 6 foot (1.8 m) tall stone into several large pieces. He fled the scene but was subsequently arrested by the
295:
on the capitol grounds. A vandal destroyed the Ten Commandments monument in 2014 and plans for the Baphomet statue were put on hold, as the Satanic Temple did not want their statue to stand alone at the capitol. After the
337:
authored House Bill 2177, allowing "cities, schools and municipalities to display 'historical documents, monuments and writings' in public buildings and on public grounds." Governor Fallin signed the bill in May 2018.
1228:
914:
154:
after making threats to attack a federal building in Oklahoma City. An unidentified law enforcement officer told a local news broadcaster that the man said the devil made him commit the act.
175:, and that he was "off his meds" when he attacked the memorial. The report said that Reed was subsequently sent to a mental health facility for treatment. He was never charged with a crime.
850:
164:
Wilbert Memorials company made a replacement monument from South Dakota granite, added the design at its plant in Kansas and installed it at the Oklahoma capitol site on January 8, 2015.
931:
967:
604:
364:
237:
1208:
309:
The controversial monument was removed from the capitol grounds during the night of October 7, 2015. A portable crane delivered it to the property of a private conservative
141:. The monument since has been labeled "a lightning rod of controversy". It has been destroyed and re-erected once and been the subject of both state and federal litigation.
376:
1213:
797:
513:
31:
1243:
1223:
1218:
1052:
723:
766:
570:
960:
371:
287:, citing the government's constitutional obligation to not endorse any particular religion, had announced they would apply to have a privately funded
682:
1198:
1148:
1087:
841:
137:
installed at the capitol. His family supplied $ 10,000 to fund the monument, which was installed in late 2012 after support by Oklahoma governor
902:
1233:
875:
953:
976:
633:
589:
314:
527:
1143:
620:
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199:
195:
405:
404:
not support is the violation of our Constitutional right to have the freedom that's guaranteed to us, that guarantees us the
223:
863:
1176:
1024:
151:
903:"Bill that would allow Ten Commandments back at the Capitol passes Oklahoma House." Oklahoma TV News 4. March 22, 2017.
226:(ACLU), acting on behalf of the original plaintiffs, entered the case and furnished attorneys to help with the appeal.
776:
1073:
1000:
108:, authorized by the Oklahoma legislature and approved by the governor in 2009, was installed on the grounds of the
514:
Peralta, Eyder. "Oklahoma Removes Ten Commandments Monument From The State Capitol." npr two-way. October 6, 2015.
1238:
1059:
1031:
1007:
702:
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Giaritelli, Anna. "Man yells 'Freedom!' as he drives vehicle into Ten Commandments statue at Arkansas Capitol."
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1101:
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657:
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109:
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Johnson, Alex. "Oklahoma Removes Ten Commandments Monument Under Court Order." NBC News. October 7, 2015.
1013:
935:
187:
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in 2013, this time in federal court, alleging that the monument also violated the First Amendment's
440:
158:
117:
1066:
987:
444:
382:
288:
284:
259:
571:
Brandes, Heide. "Man Who Slashed Oklahoma 10 Commandments Monument Says Devil Made Him Do It."
1080:
1045:
334:
265:
1108:
1038:
448:
191:
172:
134:
116:, in 2012. The mere concept engendered years of political controversy, court suits based on
229:
The defense team, whose aim was to restore the monument to the capitol grounds, was led by
1128:
355:
330:
230:
167:
A news report said that Reed had told police after the Oklahoma City attack that he was a
993:
590:"New Ten Commandments Monument Installed At State Capitol." News9.com. January 8, 2015.
436:
864:"Arkansas’ Ten Commandments monument destroyed live on Facebook." WHNT. June 28, 2017.
1192:
1094:
621:"Man who destroyed Ten Commandments display ordered released." KSL.com. July 2, 2018.
432:
280:
113:
915:
Gov. Mary Fallin signs bill allowing display of Ten Commandments on public property
842:"Satanic Temple unveils controversial Baphomet sculpture to cheers of 'Hail Satan'"
428:
683:"Reps call for impeachment of justices who ruled to remove 10 Commandments statue"
272:. The suit was dismissed by the Federal District Court for lack of standing, and
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918:
460:
452:
138:
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456:
345:
310:
130:
741:
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The Oklahoma City vandal was subsequently identified as Michael Tate Reed of
46:
33:
121:
substitute site, the monument was removed from the capitol grounds in 2015.
658:"OSCN Found Document: Prescott v. Oklahoma Capitol Preservation Commission"
178:
In 2017, a similar Ten Commandments monument was demolished using the same
888:"Oklahoma Public Money for Religious Purposes, State Question 790 (2016)."
292:
276:
was decided while an appeal was pending, likely rendering the case moot.
168:
222:
The plaintiffs appealed the decision to the Oklahoma Supreme Court. The
552:"Panel orders Ten Commandment monument removed from OK Capitol grounds"
473:
the Ten Commandments. I'm just opposed to it being on public property."
246:
in June 2015, holding in a 7–2 decision that the monument violates the
182:, less than 24 hours after it had been installed on the grounds of the
798:"Group gathers to protest unveiling of Baphomet statue with prayers"
551:
427:
Justices who concurred with the majority opinion were Chief Justice
634:"ACLU Challenges Oklahoma State Capitol Ten Commandments Monument"
528:"Ten Commandments monument is installed at Oklahoma state Capitol"
703:"Ten Commandments monument removed from Oklahoma Capital grounds"
949:
724:"Workers quietly remove Ten Commandments from Oklahoma Capitol"
636:(Press release). American Civil Liberties Union. 13 August 2013
771:
718:
716:
365:
Prescott v. Oklahoma Capitol Preservation Commission
1229:
Separation of church and state in the United States
932:
Legislature tries to display Ten Commandments again
94:
86:
78:
70:
62:
840:
600:
598:
377:Ten Commandments Monument (Little Rock, Arkansas)
463:. Justice Winchester wrote the majority opinion.
767:"Satanists want statue next to 10 Commandments"
483:to his Facebook page, to publicize his actions.
961:
218:dignitary, or sectarian institution as such.
8:
1053:The Devon Mosaic: As Long as the Waters Flow
742:"Legal | Oklahoma Ten Commandments Monument"
19:
274:Prescott v. Capitol Preservation Commission
239:Prescott v. Capitol Preservation Commission
207:Prescott v. Capitol Preservation Commission
133:sponsored a bill to have a monument to the
1209:Buildings and structures completed in 2012
968:
954:
946:
224:American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma
202:, was acquitted on mental health grounds.
18:
898:
896:
890:Ballotpedia. Accessed December 11, 2016.
372:Ten Commandments Monument (Austin, Texas)
16:Monument in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.
1214:2012 controversies in the United States
1088:Investigation, Analysis and Publication
652:
650:
585:
583:
506:
396:
129:In 2009, Oklahoma State Representative
7:
526:McNutt, Michael (15 November 2012).
279:Prior to the Prescott decision, the
1244:Vandalized works of art in Oklahoma
1224:Outdoor sculptures in Oklahoma City
1219:Monuments and memorials in Oklahoma
329:Undeterred by voter opinion, Rep.
315:Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs
254:Actions by other opposition groups
14:
765:Burke, Daniel (9 December 2013).
853:from the original on 2022-05-26.
575:(via Reuters). October 30, 2014.
348:
242:, was ultimately decided by the
1199:2012 establishments in Oklahoma
200:histrionic personality disorder
196:borderline personality disorder
839:David Trayner (26 July 2015).
455:. Justices who dissented were
406:separation of church and state
264:A second lawsuit was filed by
1:
1177:Where the Earth Meets the Sky
681:Greco, Jonathan (July 2015).
1234:Stone sculptures in Oklahoma
1025:Centennial Land Run Monument
152:United States Secret Service
977:Public art in Oklahoma City
866:Accessed February 12, 2017.
611:Accessed February 10, 2017.
592:Accessed February 17, 2018.
1260:
1001:As Long as the Waters Flow
905:Accessed February 9, 2018.
878:Accessed February 8, 2018.
577:Accessed February 9, 2018.
516:Accessed February 8, 2018.
257:
1164:Ten Commandments Monument
983:
106:Ten Commandments Monument
28:
24:
20:Ten Commandments Monument
1154:Statue of Stanley Draper
623:Accessed April 15, 2022.
1170:Tribute to Range Riders
1149:Statue of Mickey Mantle
816:"TST's Baphomet Statue"
1159:Statue of Warren Spahn
1139:Statue of Johnny Bench
1019:Bust of Robert S. Kerr
321:Subsequent proceedings
298:Oklahoma Supreme Court
244:Oklahoma Supreme Court
220:
184:Arkansas State Capitol
110:Oklahoma State Capitol
1102:Oklahoma's Native Son
1014:Bicentennial Monument
936:The Norman Transcript
248:Oklahoma Constitution
215:
188:Little Rock, Arkansas
47:35.49145°N 97.50355°W
1134:Statue of Jim Thorpe
270:Establishment Clause
82:South Dakota granite
607:Washington Examiner
305:Monument relocation
159:Van Buren, Arkansas
118:freedom of religion
52:35.49145; -97.50355
43: /
21:
988:Air Force Monument
820:The Satanic Temple
802:Detroit Free Press
383:Van Orden v. Perry
260:Statue of Baphomet
1186:
1185:
1144:Statue of Liberty
746:American Atheists
730:. 6 October 2015.
709:. 6 October 2015.
335:Micheal Bergstrom
266:American Atheists
102:
101:
95:Opening date
1251:
1239:Ten Commandments
1109:Pioneers of 1889
1039:Curious Organism
970:
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788:
787:
785:
784:
775:. Archived from
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609:. June 28, 2017.
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573:Birmingham Times
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449:Steven W. Taylor
441:James Winchester
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353:
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192:bipolar disorder
173:bipolar disorder
135:Ten Commandments
58:
57:
55:
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48:
44:
41:
40:
39:
36:
22:
1259:
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1254:
1253:
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1249:
1248:
1204:2012 sculptures
1189:
1188:
1187:
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1129:Skydance Bridge
979:
974:
944:
943:
930:
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913:
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847:The Independent
838:
837:
833:
824:
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814:
813:
809:
804:. 25 July 2015.
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445:James Edmondson
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356:Oklahoma portal
354:
349:
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331:John R. Bennett
323:
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262:
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231:E. Scott Pruitt
210:
147:
127:
51:
49:
45:
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37:
34:
32:
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29:
17:
12:
11:
5:
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994:And Jesus Wept
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950:
942:
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880:
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779:on May 1, 2014
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285:Satanic Temple
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180:modus operandi
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1095:Iron Feathers
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1060:Falling Water
1057:
1055:
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1043:
1041:
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1033:
1032:The Conductor
1029:
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1017:
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1010:
1009:
1008:The Ballerina
1005:
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966:
964:
959:
957:
952:
951:
948:
939:May 16, 2018.
938:
937:
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928:
925:
922:May 11, 2018.
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547:
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532:The Oklahoman
529:
522:
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515:
510:
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493:Commandments.
489:
486:
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433:Yvonne Kauger
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114:Oklahoma City
111:
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69:
66:Oklahoma City
65:
61:
56:
27:
23:
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1023:
1006:
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992:
934:
927:
917:
910:
883:
871:
859:
846:
834:
823:. Retrieved
819:
810:
801:
792:
781:. Retrieved
777:the original
770:
760:
749:. Retrieved
745:
736:
727:
706:
697:
686:. Retrieved
676:
665:. Retrieved
662:www.oscn.net
661:
638:. Retrieved
628:
616:
606:
572:
566:
555:. Retrieved
546:
535:. Retrieved
531:
521:
509:
488:
478:
468:
429:John F. Reif
423:
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363:
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179:
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128:
105:
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1123:The Runners
1116:Run of 1889
919:Tulsa World
461:Tom Colbert
453:Noma Gurich
437:Joseph Watt
139:Mary Fallin
50: /
1193:Categories
825:2021-02-08
783:2015-03-13
751:2015-10-03
688:2015-10-03
667:2015-09-30
640:2015-03-13
557:2015-10-03
537:2015-03-13
501:References
457:Doug Combs
311:think tank
258:See also:
236:The case,
131:Mike Ritze
38:97°30′13″W
35:35°29′29″N
728:USA Today
333:and Sen.
291:honoring
171:, he had
145:Vandalism
1081:Inclined
851:Archived
342:See also
293:Baphomet
281:New York
169:Satanist
79:Material
74:Monument
63:Location
1074:Gateway
1046:Destiny
707:Reuters
283:-based
125:History
1067:Galaxy
418:Trump.
386:(2005)
368:(2015)
313:, the
289:statue
198:, and
90:6 foot
87:Height
391:Notes
112:, in
459:and
451:and
104:The
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