Four people are in custody after two devices were tossed outside Gracie Mansion Saturday during competing anti- and pro-Muslim protests, causing a panic.
Dozens of demonstrators and counter-protesters fled as smoke started to billow from a device which appeared to have a lit fuse and was wrapped in duct tape. There were no injuries and no explosion at the 11:40 am standoff, police said.
An unknown device went off at Gracie Mansion on Saturday, causing a plume of smoke and inciting chaos, according to sources and police. REUTERS
Jake Lang, a conservative, right-wing influencer, stages a “stop the Islamification of NYC” demonstration outside Gracie Mansion, the official residence of Mayor Zorhan Mamdani. Michael Nigro
A man was seen holding the possible smoke bomb during the protest outside Gracie Mansion. REUTERS
Four people, including one man seen holding the unknown device, were arrested. Michael Nigro
The unknown device that went off outside Gracie Mansion on Saturday, March 7, 2026.
A second device was also seen, according to the NYPD.
The Joint Terrorism Task Force, led by the FBI, is investigating, police sources said.
“We’re not tracking any injuries,” sources told The Post, adding that the devices were still being examined before being detonated and destroyed at Rodman’s Neck in the Bronx. Reports that one of the devices was a nail bomb were inaccurate, cops said.
Two people were in custody after the device-throwing incident. Two others were cuffed for their role in the initial protest, which was organized by anti-Muslim, right-wing agitator Jack Lang. Lang was not arrested.
His small group of 10 haters were met by about 75 pro-Muslim protesters, witnesses said.
It is unclear which group brought the devices.
The anti-Muslim rally outside Gracie Mansion was organized by right-wing agitator Jake Lang, who was photographed holding a pepper spray amid chaos. AFP via Getty Images
Police clashed with protestors during the rally outside Gracie Mansion. Michael Nigro
Right-wing influencer Jake Lang raises a fist at Saturday’s protest organized by the influencer. Getty Images
“We’re not going to get into that yet,” a police spokesman told The Post.
Photos show an unidentified individual light what appeared to be a handmade bomb and move to launch it in the street towards a throng of people. Video of the same man showed him lighting a similar device and running down the street before being tackled by NYPD cops.
Other photos show a different person also getting tackled and dog-piled by police at the scene.
Counter protesters arrived at the same time and tensions flared between the groups. Lone Pine Press for NY Post
A total of two devices were found at the scene, according to the NYPD. Lone Pine Press for NY Post
This photo shows an unexploded suspicious explosive device thrown by a left-wing activist towards police during a protest organized by far-right influencer Jake Lang against alleged “Islamification” in New York on Saturday. AFP via Getty Images
More video from the scene showed one person deploying pepper spray as he was stalked by a crowd of angry, masked demonstrators.
Lang was assaulted during a similar anti-migrant demonstration in Minneapolis in January.
Counterprotesters showed up in force after online group General Strike NYC called for their supporters to meet Lang with their own “Run The Nazis Out Of NYC” event.
A man is arrested after throwing a curiously constructed smoke grenade at right-wing activist Jake Lang and his supporters on March 7, 2026, in New York City. Getty Images
The right-wing provocateur also brought along a fully cooked pig to taunt Muslims, who eschew pork for religious reasons. Lang has conducted similar stunts at previous protests — holding up baby pigs as “Islam’s kryptonite.”
Lang later claimed “there was an assassination attempt on my life today by two Muslim men, they threw what appears to be a nail bomb — landing a few feet from me and my team.
“We will never surrender to radical Islam. Jesus is King.”
Right-wing protesters demonstrate at the rally. Getty Images
The NYPD said the devices did not explode or detonate.
Video circulating on X showed the moment one device was thrown towards Lang.
Lang said he fled New York City for Long Island after the incident.
On Friday, Lang showed up to a vigil for Ayatollah Khamenei at Washington Square Park — appearing to hump a goat and wave an American flag in the back of a UHaul van, according to online video.
Police have not released the identity of any individuals in custody or announced any charges.
The Mayor’s Office deferred comment to the NYPD.