Religious organization rents out a publicly-funded waterpark for the day for its exclusive use. Backlash follows. Governor shuts it down.

essentialsaltes · May 5, 2026

A spokesperson for the water park said the event is “not hosted or organized” by Epic Waters, and that it makes its space available for rent to a variety of groups, including faith-based orgs

“These groups regularly book our venue for birthday parties, celebrations, youth events, corporate programming, and other activities, including full-park buyouts for large-scale private or ticketed events. As with all rentals, the hosting entity, not the waterpark, determines the event’s programming,” the spokesperson said.

“Seems like a civil rights violation,” one outraged commenter said.

[Event organizer] Knight said the park regularly rents out the space for private events, and that this event is no different.

rambot · May 5, 2026

I'm. I'm not sure what the problem is.

I hope the argument isn't "religious institutions cannot rent out spaces".

essentialsaltes · May 5, 2026

rambot said:
I hope the argument isn't "religious institutions cannot rent out spaces".

Certainly not. A public space that can be totally rented out should be freely available to all comers on an equal basis, regardless of whether they are religious or not.

Tuur · May 5, 2026

essentialsaltes said:
A spokesperson for the water park said the event is “not hosted or organized” by Epic Waters, and that it makes its space available for rent to a variety of groups, including faith-based orgs

“These groups regularly book our venue for birthday parties, celebrations, youth events, corporate programming, and other activities, including full-park buyouts for large-scale private or ticketed events. As with all rentals, the hosting entity, not the waterpark, determines the event’s programming,” the spokesperson said.

“Seems like a civil rights violation,” one outraged commenter said.

[Event organizer] Knight said the park regularly rents out the space for private events, and that this event is no different.

You forgot to lead with the anticipated “gotcha.” Can’t help but think that if this had been a group of Christians, it would be condemned as a gathering of “Christian Nationalists.” If it had been a group of Jews, it would likely be called a gathering of Zionists. When it comes to renting public venues, all groups are equal, but some are more equal than others.

rambot · May 5, 2026

Our local swimming pools have special "women only" swims where they black out all windows and muslim (And other women who would choose) can swim and feel safe.

Not only do I have ZERO problem with it, I absolutely love that this is offerred. Of course, I like women to feel safe.

rambot · May 5, 2026

Tuur said:
You forgot to lead with the anticipated “gotcha.” Can’t help but think that if this had been a group of Christians, it would be condemned as a gathering of “Christian Nationalists.”

You know what's dumb?
I can guarantee that Christian groups already DO rent this space out and nobody bats an eye at it; it's CERTAINLY not printed in papers or online articles.

The fact that this article got printed AND that you think that somehow christians would be victimized shows you may not quite understand the Muslim experience in America.

Lukaris · May 5, 2026

Is the event tax payer funded? That doesn’t seem to make sense since it is being paid for by the participants at a community park. While a community park is tax subsidized, organizations rent out places like this at times.

A local park near where I live fits this as an example. They have arrangements for rented private affairs:

Church Street Park | Kingston, PA | Parks & Lakes

Church Street Park features a playground, walking trail, sports fields and picnic areas for outdoor recreation in Kingston, PA.

discovernepa.com

A Moslem group had a paid for soccer competition there:

Facebook

www.facebook.com

This is all legal & legitimate.

essentialsaltes · May 7, 2026

Tuur said:
You forgot to lead with the anticipated “gotcha.”

Will this do?

Grand Prairie cancels Muslim event at water park under pressure from Gov. Abbott

In a letter sent Wednesday, Governor Abbott said to cancel the private Eid al-Adha event scheduled for June or lose $530,000 in state grants.

The city initially said it was working to ensure all policies and procedures were followed with the private rental, but pulled the plug on the event Wednesday evening after Governor Abbott threatened to pull $530,000 in state public safety grants unless it was canceled.

"That's religious discrimination. It's unconstitutional," he said of the event on X. "Let this be a lesson to local officials: Facilities funded by ALL taxpayers are not just for a subset of Texans."

[Organizer Knight:] "I’m sad. I’m sad that something that was being done with such good intention, just for joy, has been turned into something that it’s not," she said. "God knows I was just trying to plan something for my community within my community just like I did last year – why it turned it with this, I don’t know."

rambot · May 7, 2026

essentialsaltes said:
Will this do?

Grand Prairie cancels Muslim event at water park under pressure from Gov. Abbott
In a letter sent Wednesday, Governor Abbott said to cancel the private Eid al-Adha event scheduled for June or lose $530,000 in state grants.

The city initially said it was working to ensure all policies and procedures were followed with the private rental, but pulled the plug on the event Wednesday evening after Governor Abbott threatened to pull $530,000 in state public safety grants unless it was canceled.

"That's religious discrimination. It's unconstitutional," he said of the event on X. "Let this be a lesson to local officials: Facilities funded by ALL taxpayers are not just for a subset of Texans."

[Organizer Knight:] "I’m sad. I’m sad that something that was being done with such good intention, just for joy, has been turned into something that it’s not," she said. "God knows I was just trying to plan something for my community within my community just like I did last year – why it turned it with this, I don’t know."

LOL!

I think I should feel bad but I just have to laugh at the naked descrimination that Republican leaders do. It's just so awful. Such awful people.

And they wonder why minorities won't vote for them.

And Republicans on Christian Forums will speak with heartfelt derision against them because they "always vote democrats" without recognizing that nobody has an obligation to support their ugly absurd mistreatment of minorities.

One in a LOOOOOOONG string of examples of Republicans not recognizing the consequences of their actions. Which is sooooo weird to me because MOST authoritarian households are Republicans. And those households often usually have significant consequences.

Weird

keith99 · May 7, 2026

I just want to point out that the event was scheduled for June 1st. A Monday! That probably made it a win for the park, e.g. getting far more from the rental than they would for an ordinary Monday.

I can't wait to hear the Christians scream discrimination when the next rental by a Christian group is denied.

iluvatar5150 · May 8, 2026

...Guys, we're totally not bigots, I swear...

Nithavela · May 8, 2026

Gotta love the comment section of the NYPost article.

Rye Guy
4 May, 2026

The warning sign is that there are enough of them to warrant the gathering. The gates have already fallen.

essentialsaltes · May 8, 2026

Nithavela said:
Gotta love the comment section of the NYPost article.

You don't have to go all the way to the Post to read stuff like that.

Yarddog · May 8, 2026

essentialsaltes said:
A spokesperson for the water park said the event is “not hosted or organized” by Epic Waters, and that it makes its space available for rent to a variety of groups, including faith-based orgs

“These groups regularly book our venue for birthday parties, celebrations, youth events, corporate programming, and other activities, including full-park buyouts for large-scale private or ticketed events. As with all rentals, the hosting entity, not the waterpark, determines the event’s programming,” the spokesperson said.

“Seems like a civil rights violation,” one outraged commenter said.

[Event organizer] Knight said the park regularly rents out the space for private events, and that this event is no different.

Okay, a Muslim group leased out the Water park for their organization. Nothing wrong with that.

Religious organization rents out a publicly-funded waterpark for the day for its exclusive use. Backlash follows. Governor shuts it down.

Fact-Based Lifeform

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Fact-Based Lifeform

Will this do?​

Grand Prairie cancels Muslim event at water park under pressure from Gov. Abbott​

Senior Member

Will this do?​

Grand Prairie cancels Muslim event at water park under pressure from Gov. Abbott​

sola dosis facit venenum

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you're in charge you can do it just get louis

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Will this do?

Grand Prairie cancels Muslim event at water park under pressure from Gov. Abbott

Will this do?

Grand Prairie cancels Muslim event at water park under pressure from Gov. Abbott