Controversial Statues in Quincy Spark Legal Battle

In Quincy, Massachusetts, Mayor Thomas Koch recently unveiled two impressive 10-foot bronze statues to enhance the city’s new streetscape. These statues are intended for the new Public Safety Headquarters, a large 122,000-square-foot facility that will be home to both the police and fire department offices.

One statue represents the winged Archangel Michael, depicted stepping on the devil’s head, while the other honors Florian, a Roman firefighter from the 3rd century, shown extinguishing a fire. The symbolism here is quite profound, I think—it’s meant to honor the service of first responders rather than to promote a specific religious agenda.

Interestingly, despite their intended significance, a number of local residents and organizations that prefer to remove visible symbols of Christianity have initiated a lawsuit to prevent the statues from being installed.

Recently, the Norfolk High Court issued a preliminary injunction halting the installation, yet the city of Quincy is determined to move forward and has filed an appeal alongside the Beckett Fund for Religious Freedom.

In a statement to the media, Mayor Koch emphasized the importance of the statues, saying, “We respect the beliefs of all our citizens, religious or not. However, the statues of Michael and Florian honor service, not creed.” He expressed hope that the court will reverse the injunction so that the city can recognize those who serve and protect the community.

The Lawsuit

Some Quincy residents have joined forces as plaintiffs in a lawsuit spearheaded by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Massachusetts, the Religious Freedom Foundation, and Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

• One plaintiff, a local Unitarian, raised concerns about the religious imagery.
• A Catholic individual found the depiction of good overcoming evil to be “unpleasant.”
• A member of a local synagogue expressed fears that such imagery may fuel rising anti-Semitism.
• There are Episcopalians who feel that encountering these statues is a form of “submitting to religious symbols.”
• Some former Catholics, now atheists, prefer to distance themselves from the religious imagery they grew up with.
• One individual even likened Michael’s victory over the devil to the tragic death of George Floyd.

The lawsuit argues that placing these religious symbols in a government space creates an unwelcome environment for those who adhere to different faiths or none at all, effectively sending a message that they are second-class citizens.

Interestingly, while the lawsuit emphasizes Michael’s significance in Catholicism as a patron saint of police, it somewhat overlooks his equally notable presence in other religious traditions, such as Judaism and Islam.

The plaintiffs contend that the city’s actions violate Section 3 of the Massachusetts Declaration of Rights, suggesting that the statues do not have a primarily secular purpose and instead promote one faith over others.

In a twist, they avoid framing this as a U.S. constitutional issue, even though the Supreme Court has suggested that merely containing religious content does not violate the Establishment Clause.

Mayor Koch, responding to their claims, reaffirmed the rationale behind the statues. In an affidavit, he stated that erecting these symbols of police and fire protection is entirely appropriate and serves a dual purpose by inspiring the services’ personnel.

He reiterated, “There was nothing religious about this decision.” The fact that Michael and Florian are recognized saints is secondary to their roles as symbols of protection.

The Injunction

In the filing, Quincy suggested that the plaintiffs were acting out of mere anger over the statues rather than engaging in standard political discourse.

Judge William Sullivan, who previously took on cases under former Governor Deval Patrick, was unconvinced by these arguments. On October 14, he issued a preliminary injunction against the statues’ installation, indicating that the plaintiffs likely have a valid case in proving that such displays primarily promote religion.

In terms of the secular interpretation of the statues, Sullivan did note that, while the statue of St. Michael might seem to inspire values such as truth and justice, it remains steeped in religious meaning, making a completely secular view implausible.

Rachel Davidson from the ACLU applauded the ruling, expressing gratitude for the recognition of the potential harm caused by installing these statues. She emphasized the importance of maintaining a separation between church and state.

Annie Laurie Gaylor of the Religious Freedom Foundation stressed that while individuals are free to express their faith in private spaces, such symbols should not occupy government property where all must feel included.

Appeal on the Horizon

The Beckett Fund for Religious Freedom announced an upcoming appeal alongside the city. They argue that Judge Sullivan’s ruling could undermine the historical presence of religious symbols in public life, especially those holding cultural or commemorative significance, like certain war memorials featuring crosses.

An example provided by advocates is the 40-foot Peace Cross in Bladensburg, Maryland, erected by the American Legion to commemorate World War I soldiers. Although secularists have pushed for its removal, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2019 that the cross does not violate the Establishment Clause.

The judges have shown skepticism towards the legal basis of challenges like these, often leaning on precedent established in prior cases.

Joseph Davis from the Beckett Fund emphasized that in the U.S., associating something with religion is not a valid reason to censor it. Moreover, he noted that historical symbols have long been employed to honor acts of courage and sacrifice.

As this legal battle unfolds, Quincy Police Chief Mark Kennedy’s office has opted not to comment, citing the ongoing court proceedings.