The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court halted the planned installation of the statues of St. Michael and St. Florian outside the city of Quincy’s new public safety building.
The court ruled that the saints are “closely affiliated with a particular religion” and that the statues “may convey to observing members of the public implicit government support for that religion and, as a result, subordination of other religions.”
“Quincy’s firefighters and police put their lives on the line for this city every day, and these statues were chosen to honor their bravery, service, and sacrifice,” said Tom Koch, the mayor of the city of 100,000. “This decision is disappointing, but it is preliminary, and we will continue to fight for the ability to commemorate our first responders as the law permits.”