Press Release: 5/1/2026
Next Week: City of Quincy, Massachusetts urges state high court to allow statues honoring first responders Court to decide if Quincy can erect statues recognizing courage of firefighters & police
Media Release Date
For Immediate Release:
April 30, 2026
Media Contact
Ryan Colby202-349-7219media@becketfund.org
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Legal Doc: Opening Brief in Fitzmaurice v. City of Quincy
02/11/2026
Legal Doc: Application for Direct Appellate Review in Fitzmaurice v. City of Quincy
12/23/2025
Case Page: Fitzmaurice v. City of Quincy
WASHINGTON – Becket attorneys will be at the highest court in Massachusetts next week urging the court to protect the City of Quincy’s freedom to honor its firefighters and police officers with Italian-made statues of Florian and Michael the Archangel, two figures recognized the world over as representing first responders’ vital work. In Fitzmaurice v. City of Quincy, the ACLU sued to stop the city from installing the statues on its new public safety headquarters, claiming that because the figures have religious significance to some, they could not be used to honor first responders.
Worldwide, first responders view Florian, a Roman firefighter from antiquity, and Michael the Archangel, long associated with being a protector against evil, as inspiring symbols of their professions. Fire departments often adopt the Florian cross, while police frequently identify with Michael in their mission to safeguard communities. To celebrate this proud tradition and pay tribute to the city’s public servants, Quincy commissioned statues of Florian and Michael from the same artist who created the city’s John Adams and John Hancock statues. Becket and Quincy’s city solicitor are fighting back against the ACLU’s lawsuit so Quincy won’t have to hide these civic symbols simply because some view them as religious.
Quincy has garnered major support for its case: a coalition of 18 organizations and scholars—including the nation’s largest firefighter and police unions, diverse faith groups, and prominent constitutional scholars—recently filed 12 friend-of-the-court briefs asking the court to rule in favor of Quincy.
What:
Oral Argument in Fitzmaurice v. City of Quincy
Arguing before the court:
Joseph Davis, senior counsel at Becket and an attorney for the City of Quincy
When:
May 6, 2026, at approximately 9:30 a.m. ET
Where:
John Adams Courthouse, Room 1
1 Pemberton Square, Boston, MA 02108
Link to livestream: https://boston.suffolk.edu/sjc/indextest.php
For more information or to arrange an interview with a Becket attorney, contact Ryan Colby at media@becketfund.org or 202-349-7219.