# Talk:Park51

Hey all, wanted to modify the head of the article to more accurately reflect why the proposed building was so controversial. It seems like the article is stepping around the subject.  The head reads like this: 
Park51 (originally named Cordoba House) is a development that was originally envisioned as a 13-story Islamic community center and mosque in Lower Manhattan, New York City. The developers hoped to promote an interfaith dialogue within the greater community. Due to its proposed location two blocks from the World Trade Center site, it was widely and controversially referred to as the "Ground Zero mosque".
From an international perspective, it doesn't really seem clear to me why it's controversial. I would submit the following for review:  
Park51 (originally named Cordoba House) is a development that was originally envisioned as a 13-story Islamic community center and mosque in Lower Manhattan, New York City. The developers hoped to promote an interfaith dialogue within the greater community. Due to its proposed location two blocks from the World Trade Center site of the September 11 attacks, which were perpetrated by the Islamic terrorism group Al-Qaeda, the proposed building was widely and controversially referred to as the "Ground Zero mosque".
I get that the subject of this article is controversial as hell, so I'm asking other editors for thoughts. Appreciate it! <4
Kobentori (talk) 05:32, 25 August 2020 (UTC)

I just added to the lede to describe how the controversy was part of an astroturf campaign. I cited Jane Mayer's work where she showed how Robert Mercer funded the effort. She also discusses the role money played in elections in Iowa.
I also added the report from American Progress on the David Horowitz Center and folks like Pamela Geller. Jgmac1106 (talk) 00:59, 3 February 2025 (UTC)

Source: https://newyorkyimby.com/2020/11/construction-on-45-park-place-remains-stalled-in-tribeca.html

There are two subheadings about Controversy
Background and Controversy and Controversy.
I propose Background should just be about history. The 9/11 attacks, history of lobby groups,  and the increase in funding following Citizens United in the US that lead to the influx of cash funding the controversy
Then in the Controversy section we focus on the actual controversy about building Park 51, Jgmac1106 (talk) 01:02, 3 February 2025 (UTC)

The Background and Controversy section and Controversy section are redundant. Not sure on the best way to separate the two and honor past editors. Will give it a day and see if other have an opinion Jgmac1106 (talk) 01:13, 3 February 2025 (UTC)

Change the link on "astroturf" from the page on literal Astroturf to the one on "Astroturfing". Ranierij (talk) 22:22, 10 March 2025 (UTC)
 Done PianoDan (talk) 23:12, 10 March 2025 (UTC)