War on the Cross: Florida Villages HOA Fines Wayne Anderson for Displaying the 12-inch Christian Cross at Lawn
In 2020, Wayne Anderson, a homeowner in The Villages, Florida, placed a 12-inch white cross in his lawn to express his Christian faith. After neighbor complaints, the Village Community Development District (HOA) cited him for violating a rule banning lawn ornaments and began issuing fines.
Anderson refused to remove the cross and sued the district, arguing the enforcement violated his First Amendment right to religious expression.
Facing the constitutional challenge, the district settled the case in November 2025, agreeing to pay Anderson $70,000 and allow the cross to remain. Legal costs added about $173,000, bringing the total public cost to roughly $250,000.
Wayne Anderson remains in his home in The Villages, Florida, and the 12-inch Christian cross remains in his yard. [War Against the Cross]
