Public school students in Louisiana will be welcomed with “In God We Trust” signs when they head back to school this month.
The move is the result of a law signed by Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) last year that requires the instruction and display of the motto “In God We Trust” in all public schools in the state starting this school year.
{mosads}“Not later than the 2019-2020 school year, the program of instruction on patriotic customs required by this Section shall include instruction on the national motto, ‘In God We Trust,’ and each public school governing authority shall display the national motto in each building it uses and in each school under its jurisdiction,” the law, also known as Senate Bill 224, states.
“The nature of the display shall be determined by each governing authority with a minimum requirement of a paper sign,” the legislation also reads.
The move comes as some state legislatures across the South — including Florida, Arkansas and South Carolina — have discussed similar measures that would require public schools to display the motto.
Just recently, a new law in South Carolina went in effect requiring public schools to place “In God We Trust” signs on display.
State Sen. Regina Ashford Barrow (D), the lawmaker behind the bill to have the national motto displayed in Louisiana schools, called the measure “important” in helping students understand the country’s “patriotic history” in remarks discussing the law last year.
“This is our national motto. It’s also on our currency,” she said at the time. “So I think it’s really important that we ensure that young people understand the patriotic history of our country and how it was founded and its purpose.”