Legal Battle Ignites Over Removal of Long-Standing Cross in Albany, California
The removal of a cross that stood on Albany Hill for over 50 years has sparked a heated legal dispute. The city of Albany, citing eminent domain and facing pressure from a group of atheists, dismantled the cross on June 8. Now, the Albany Lions Club is challenging the city’s decision in U.S. District Court in San Francisco.
The cross was originally erected in the 1970s and remained on Albany Hill even as the land changed hands and became a public park. An easement was included in the sale of the land, allowing the Lions Club to maintain the site and keep the cross in place. The site has been a place of solitude and prayer for worshippers for decades.
Attorneys for both the city and the Albany Lions Club are now embroiled in a legal battle, with arguments being presented in court this week. The outcome of the case could have significant implications for the community and the preservation of historical symbols on public land.
