...
By Adeola Adeosun
Weekend Night Editor
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Two people are in custody after suspicious devices were found outside Gracie Mansion, the official residence of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, during an anti-Islam demonstration Saturday morning, the New York Police Department (NYPD) confirmed to Newsweek.
The protest was organized by Jake Lang, a conservative influencer pardoned for charges tied to the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Images from the scene showed smoke and what appeared to be an unexploded homemade device.
Newsweek reached out to the mayor's office via email on Saturday for comment.
Read More on News
Why It Matters
The incident raises urgent concerns about the safety of elected officials and the potential for political demonstrations to escalate into violence. Mamdani, New York City's first Muslim mayor, was targeted during Ramadan — the holy month observed by Muslims worldwide — amplifying the symbolic weight of the threat.
...
...
What To Know
Officers were on scene for a scheduled demonstration near East End Avenue and 88th Street, in the vicinity of the 19th Precinct, when they were alerted to two suspicious devices at approximately 11:40 a.m., the NYPD told Newsweek. No injuries or property damage were reported.
The protest was organized by Lang, a conservative influencer and self-described right-wing provocateur who was pardoned for charges stemming from the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Lang had promoted the demonstration outside the mayor's residence and, ahead of the rally, promised to burn a Quran at the site — though he did not appear to follow through.
New York City Comptroller Mark D. Levine, citing information from NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, said the two individuals arrested for use of ignitable devices were part of a Lang's counter-protest — not Lang's group. The devices were described as jars wrapped in black tape containing nuts, bolts, screws and a hobby fuse. It is not yet known whether the devices were functional explosives or hoax devices, as it has not been determined whether they contained energetic material. The NYPD bomb squad is transporting the devices for examination.
Six people were arrested in total in connection with the incident, including a member of Lang's group who used pepper spray on a counter-protester. The entire incident was captured on NYPD Argus cameras, Levine said. Images from the scene showed smoke and what appeared to be an unexploded homemade device.
It was not immediately clear whether Mamdani and first lady Rama Duwaji were home at the time of the incident.
Lang has held similar demonstrations in recent months. In January, he organized an anti-immigration rally in Minneapolis in the days following the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, 37, who was killed by a federal immigration officer.
...
What People Are Saying
NYPD statement to Newsweek: "On Saturday, March 7, 2026, at approximately 1140 hours, officers were on scene for a scheduled demonstration in the vicinity of East End Avenue and 88th Street, within the confines of the 19 Precinct, when they were alerted to two suspicious devices at the location. No injuries or property damage have been reported at this time. Two persons of interest were taken into custody and the investigation remains ongoing."
Notify NYC on X: "Protest Activity: Expect traffic delays & emergency personnel near East End Avenue and East 88th Street, Manhattan. Use alternate routes."
...
...
What Happens Next
With two persons of interest in custody, the NYPD investigation is ongoing.
Update 3/7/26, 4:00p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Update 3/7/26, 8:16p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines