A Norfolk Superior Court judge is set to hear arguments Friday about whether Quincy can place two large religious statues at the entrance to a new public safety building.

The ACLU is representing Quincy residents of different religious faiths who say installing the statues would violate the Massachusetts Constitution. Others criticize the cost, which is more than $800,000.

The city counters that the 10-foot-tall statues of St. Michael and St. Florian, the patron saints of police and fire departments, are important symbols to first responders.

"Alarming message"

The lawsuit filed by Quincy residents says putting the statues outside a government facility "sends an alarming message that those who do not subscribe to the City's preferred religious beliefs are second-class residents w

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