Yesterday a Norfolk County Superior Court judge issued an injunction temporarily blocking the City of Quincy from erecting two large saint statues–Saint Michael and Saint Florian–at a new public safety building.
In the injunction (attached below) the judge also notes that those legally opposing the statues are likely to succeed on their claims.
Plaintiffs have also demonstrated that they are likely to succeed at proving that the permanent display of the oversized overtly religious-looking statues have a primary effect of advancing religion. The depiction of the statues, their association with one religion, and the various reactions of community members, City Council members, and faith leaders demonstrate Plaintiffs will likely be able to show that the statues convey to the public observing them the implicit government support for the religious doctrine and adherents of Catholic/Christian faith, and as a result, the subordination of other religions. Additionally, Plaintiffs have put forth evidence that Defendants unilaterally decided on the permanent display of the Catholic patron saints on the facade of the public safety building and have continued to allocate further public funds to complete the installation and that the decision to do so has resulted in a divisive public reaction. The Court finds their factual presentation sufficient to show a likelihood of success on the merits of their claim under Article 3.
The full text of the injunction is attached below.