Authorities in New York City are investigating after a counterprotester hurled an explosive device packed with metal fragments at an anti-Islamic demonstration near the mayor’s residence. The incident escalated when pepper spray was used against counterprotesters, leading to three arrests.
NEW YORK CITY — Authorities are examining an incident where a counterdemonstrator ignited and hurled an explosive device filled with metal fragments at participants in an anti-Islamic rally on Saturday, according to police officials.
The confrontation began Saturday morning when a member of the “Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City” demonstration, linked to conservative activist Jake Lang, discharged pepper spray toward a group of counterdemonstrators gathered near Gracie Mansion, the mayor’s official residence, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch reported.
The situation escalated when a counterprotester ignited and launched a device that Tisch characterized as football-sized or smaller toward the roughly 20-person anti-Islam gathering, she explained.
The explosive struck a barricade and went out “just a few feet from police officers,” according to Tisch. The individual then fled, receiving a second device from another person before dropping it. Both devices were covered in black tape and packed with nuts, bolts, and screws, along with a hobby fuse designed to be ignited, Tisch said. Authorities remain uncertain whether the devices were operational or fake.
Three individuals have been taken into custody as the investigation continues, Tisch confirmed.
During her press briefing, Tisch reported no injuries occurred and indicated she believed Mayor Zohran Mamdani was away from the residence during the incident.
Lang previously faced charges including officer assault with a baseball bat and civil disorder related to January 6th before receiving clemency through President Donald Trump’s broad pardoning of January 6th defendants last year. Lang has recently declared his candidacy for U.S. Senate in Florida.
Lang also participated in demonstrations in Minneapolis during the previous Trump administration’s immigration enforcement efforts.
According to Tisch, approximately 20 individuals attended Lang’s Saturday demonstration, while the opposing group reached a maximum of 125 participants.