New York – New York City counterterrorism police are actively investigating a tense incident on Saturday in which an 18-year-old man threw two “ignited devices” containing nuts, bolts, and screws near a far-right protest taking place outside the residence of Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
The protest, organized by far-right influencer Jake Lang, was held in front of Gracie Mansion, the mayor’s official residence. Lang and his supporters were demonstrating against what they described as “Islamification” and calling for an end to “public Muslim prayer” in New York.
The Incident
According to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, the chaos unfolded when a man, later identified as Amir Balat, 18, received a device wrapped in tape and billowing smoke from a fellow activist. He dropped it near a line of police officers before vaulting a crash barrier. He then received a second device, lit it, and threw it near Lang’s group of protesters.
“Witnesses reported seeing flames and smoke as it travelled through the air before it struck a barrier a few feet from police officers,” Tisch detailed in a briefing.
The devices, described as being slightly smaller than a football, were jars wrapped in black tape. Crucially, they contained “nuts, bolts and screws along with a hobby fuse that could be lit.” Commissioner Tisch noted that while they appeared designed to cause harm, it is not yet clear if they contained actual explosive material or were hoax devices.
The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is actively investigating alongside the NYPD. Tisch added that there is currently no indication the incident is related to the ongoing hostilities in Iran.
Arrests Made
Balat and the other man who handled the devices were quickly detained by police, who were heavily deployed to the scene. In total, six people were arrested:
- The two men connected to the devices.
- A protester from Lang’s group who used pepper spray on counter-protesters.
- Three others for disorderly conduct and obstructing traffic.
Community Response
The protest drew only about 20 people, but it was met by a significantly larger counter-protest of approximately 125 individuals who came out to oppose the hateful rhetoric.
Mia Kurzer, a 23-year-old teacher participating in the counter-protest, told AFP, “I showed up because we have to show that hate has no place in our city. We democratically elected a mayor who is Muslim — and that’s New York. We have different cultures, and we have to celebrate those cultures.”
Another counter-protester, Wally Khan, criticized Lang’s tactics, stating, “This is very [much] in line with what he does from city to city. He tried to burn a Quran in Dearborn” in Michigan.
Police confirmed that Mayor Mamdani was not believed to be home at the time of the incident. The investigation remains active and ongoing.
