Arkansas judge OKs merging 2 lawsuits over 10 Commandments monument

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — A federal judge has agreed to merge two lawsuits by opponents of Arkansas' Ten Commandments monument that seek to have the display removed from the state Capitol grounds.

U.S. District Judge Kristine Baker on Monday granted the request to consolidate the lawsuits challenging the privately funded display. A 2015 law required the state to allow its construction.

The monument was reinstalled in April after the original version was destroyed by a man who crashed his car into it.

The lawsuits claim the display is the government's unconstitutional endorsement of religion. The American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas sued on behalf of four Arkansas residents. The second suit was filed on behalf of a coalition opposed to the monument.