Chaos erupted outside of Gracie Mansion on Saturday afternoon as New Yorkers clashed with far-right influencer Jake Lang and his posse, leading to a slew of arrests.
Photo by Dean Moses
Fists flew and pepper-spray blew outside of Gracie Mansion on Saturday afternoon as New Yorkers clashed with far-right influencer Jake Lang and his posse, leading to a slew of arrests.
The chaotic scene unfolded on 89th Street and York Avenue when Lang — a bigoted online influencer and pardoned lJan. 6 insurrectionist — declared that he would be participating in a hateful demonstration against Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the Big Apple’s Muslim community.
“God’s with us and patriots stand tall,” Lang claimed.
But New Yorkers were not having it.
When Lang stepped out of his U-Haul van, with a goat in tow, and surrounded by about a dozen of his cohorts, they were met by counter-protesters enraged by his racist taunts.
Vastly outnumbered, the NYPD shielded the far-right group, keeping the demonstrative crowd at bay as they made their way toward Gracie Mansion, while wild punches, shouts, and altercations ensued.
When Lang stepped out of his U-Haul van, with a goat in tow, and surrounded by about a dozen of his cohorts, they were met by counter-protesters enraged by the racist taunts.Photo by Dean Moses 
When Lang stepped out of his U-Haul van, with a goat in tow, and surrounded by about a dozen of his cohorts, they were met by counter-protesters enraged by the racist taunts.Photo by Dean Moses
A procession of punches continued until the NYPD separated both groups into pens outside of Gracie Mansion on 87th Street and East End Avenue.
On one side, a group held up a flag with a racist Muslim caricature being lynched, and on the other, demonstrators burned the Confederate flag.
In one startling moment, a far-right protester broke through the ranks and began pepper-spraying people, causing several individuals to be incapacitated.
Those exposed to the spray were left on the ground, weeping, while others frantically attempted to flush their eyes out with bottles of water.
On one side, a group held up a flag with a racist Muslim caricature being lynched, and on the other, demonstrators burned the Confederate flag.Photo by Dean Moses 
In one startling moment, a far-right protester broke through the ranks and began pepper-spraying people, causing several individuals to be incapacitated. They were left on the ground, weeping, while others frantically attempted to flush their eyes out with bottles of water.Photo by Dean Moses 
In one startling moment, a far-right protester broke through the ranks and began pepper-spraying people, causing several individuals to be incapacitated. They were left on the ground, weeping, while others frantically attempted to flush their eyes out with bottles of water.Photo by Dean Moses
Meanwhile, outrage grew when police did not immediately arrest the assailant, but instead, rushed him back to Lang’s pen.
“I saw a pepper spray flying in the direction, and I saw little children standing right next to it. Four people got hit, at least,” one eyewitness said.
Police sources report that he was later arrested.
Photo by Dean Moses 
Photo by Dean Moses
Another man ran into the counter-protesters’ pen, screaming and holding up a device with smoke emitting from it, which some feared to be an explosive. He was immediately tackled to the ground by police officers, piling on top of him.
The area was then evacuated, and authorities called in the bomb squad. The exact nature of the device is not yet clear.
Lang tried to flee the area; however, when the U-Haul he arrived in returned, it was immediately bombarded by New Yorkers punching the vehicle and using their bodies in an attempt to block it from leaving the area.
Lang tried to flee the area; however, when the U-Haul he arrived in returned, it was immediately bombarded by New Yorkers punching the vehicle and using their bodies in an attempt to block it from leaving the area.Photo by Dean Moses
Lang was left behind until the NYPD’s Strategic Response Group cleared a path for him to leave.
Several arrests have been made, including for assault on a police officer and disorderly conduct.
Photo by Dean Moses