New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani was inside Gracie Mansion, his official residence, when anti-Islam protesters clashed with counter-demonstrators outside the building on Saturday. Police said two suspicious devices were ignited by counter-protesters. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
The New York Police Department said two people were arrested in connection with a pair of “suspicious devices” ignited during an anti-Islam protest outside Gracie Mansion.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the devices appeared to be jars wrapped in black tape containing nuts, bolts and screws. Each device had a hobby fuse.
“We do not yet know whether the devices were functional improvised explosive devices or hoax devices, because we don’t yet know if there was energetic material contained in them,” NBC News quoted Tisch as telling reporters.
The FBI’s New York field office is also investigating.
“During a rally earlier this afternoon, two suspicious items were recovered from the property of Gracie Mansion,” the office said on social media. “The FBI New York’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and the New York City Police Department quickly responded and are actively investigating this matter.”
The devices, which were taken by the bomb squad for further analysis, were allegedly ignited by counterprotesters at an anti-Islam rally organized by right-wing influencer Jake Lang outside Gracie Mansion, Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s official residence.
Lang’s rally, dubbed “Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City, Stop New York City Public Muslim Prayer,” attracted about 20 participants Saturday, while the counterprotest, “Run the Nazis out of New York City, Stand Against Hate,” featured up to 125 people.
An 18-year-old man accused of throwing the devices was detained alongside a 19-year-old man who handed one of the devices to the first suspect. Both men are from Pennsylvania. No charges have yet been filed.
Tisch said a protester from Lang’s group was arrested for allegedly discharging pepper spray at counterprotesters and three others were arrested on charges involving disorderly conduct and obstructing traffic.
Lang’s protest was organized amid Ramadan, a Muslim holy month. Mamdani, who was inside Gracie Mansion at the time of the demonstrations, is New York’s first Muslim mayor.
