Oklahoma Panel Orders Removal Of Ten Commandments Monument

A state panel charged with overseeing artwork at the state Capitol has ordered the removal of a Ten Commandments monument from the statehouse grounds after a court found the sculpture violated the Oklahoma constitution.

The Oklahoma Capitol Preservation Commission voted 7-1 Tuesday during a special meeting to authorize the Office of Management and Enterprise Services to remove the one-ton granite monument.

8/15/2015 Related Story: Oklahomans Continue To Debate Ten Commandments Monument Placed On State Grounds

The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled in June that the monument's display violates a constitutional prohibition on the use of public property to support "any sect, church, denomination or system of religion." A district court judge earlier this month ordered the monument to be removed within the next 30 days.

OMES spokesman John Estus says the agency will remove the monument before Oct. 12. 

At this time where it’s going has not been determined. Several groups have expressed interest in the monument, but that decision will be made at a later date. Estus tells News 9 they will be contacting the builder to figure out the best way to remove the monument. They will also be working with OHP because there have been several security concerns surrounding its removal.