Quincy Residents Sue Over Catholic Statues at Station

Fifteen Quincy residents of various faiths, represented by the ACLU and allied organizations, have sued the city and Mayor Thomas Koch to prevent the installation of two 10-foot-tall statues of Catholic saints—St. Michael the Archangel and St. Florian—at the entrance of a new $175 million public safety building. The lawsuit alleges that using $850,000 in taxpayer funds for the statues promotes a single religion and violates the Massachusetts Constitution, undermining government neutrality. Critics, including city council members and interfaith groups, cite the lack of transparency, the inclusion of violent religious imagery, and the absence of public or council approval. The plaintiffs seek a preliminary injunction to halt the installation and related spending during the case. Mayor Koch has not issued a public response. The building is expected to open in the fall, with the legal case ongoing.