10 Commandments Monument Erected At Oklahoma Capitol

Three years after the Republican-controlled Legislature authorized the erection of a Ten Commandments monument on the state Capitol grounds, the granite display is now in place.

The 6-foot tall monument was set up Thursday on the north side of the state Capitol.

The $10,000 monument was privately funded by Republican state Rep. Mike Ritze, who introduced the bill authorizing it in 2009.

The measure was signed into law by Democratic Gov. Brad Henry despite arguments from opponents that it violates provisions of the state and U.S. constitutions that prohibit laws expressing a religious preference.

The U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled a Ten Commandments monument erected on the Haskell County Courthouse lawn was unconstitutional, but the U.S. Supreme Court authorized a similar monument at the Texas state Capitol.