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By Adeola Adeosun and Peter Aitken
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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani broke his silence Sunday, calling the protest outside his official residence "rooted in bigotry and racism" and condemning the use of explosive devices that led to six arrests the day before.
"Yesterday, white supremacist Jake Lang organized a protest outside Gracie Mansion rooted in bigotry and racism," Mamdani, a Democratic socialist, wrote on X. "Such hate has no place in New York City. It is an affront to our city's values and the unity that defines who we are."
The Context
Amid the ongoing war between Iran, the United States and Israel, two people are in custody after suspicious devices were found outside Gracie Mansion, the official residence of Mamdani, during an anti-Islam demonstration Saturday morning, the New York Police Department (NYPD) confirmed to Newsweek.
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The protest was organized by Jake Lang, a conservative influencer pardoned for charges tied to the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot. Images from the scene showed smoke and what appeared to be an unexploded homemade device lying in the street.
The devices were described as jars wrapped in black tape containing nuts, bolts, screws and a hobby fuse.
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.
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What To Know
The NYPD told Newsweek on Sunday that "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."
The police department added that no one was injured and no property was damaged, adding that "two persons of interest were taken into custody and the investigation remains ongoing."
Meanwhile, Mamdani addressed the violence that followed Lang's demonstration that drew a counter-protest. Two counter-protesters, identified as Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi, were arrested for deploying the ignitable devices. The NYPD later confirmed one device was a real improvised explosive device (IED).
A member of Lang's group was also arrested for using pepper spray on a counter-protester, bringing the total number of arrests to six. "The attempt to use an explosive device and hurt others is not only criminal, it is reprehensible and the antithesis of who we are," the mayor wrote.
The NYPD Bomb Squad transported the devices for examination. It remains unclear whether they were functional explosives or hoax devices, as authorities have not yet determined whether they contained energetic material. Mamdani said his administration is closely monitoring the situation and that he remains in contact with Tisch.
Tisch in an update posted on Sunday wrote on X that the bomb squad confirmed the nature of the device found to be an authentic IED, and that further analysis would be conducted on it, as well as on a "second device."
"The NYPD is working on this investigation with our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and the FBI through our Joint Terrorism Task Force," Tisch wrote. "I want to again thank the brave members of the NYPD who ran towards the danger without hesitation and quickly apprehended the suspects."
Fox News correspondent Bill Melugin also reported, citing multiple law enforcement sources, that the suspects arrested came from Pennsylvania and had yelled "Allahu Akbar" before throwing the device.
What People Are Saying
Conservative influencer Jake Lang wrote on X: "I just survived an assassination attempt by these two Muslim men; The homemade bomb they threw landed 3 feet in front of me. The detonator failed to ignite, because God is on the throne of my life. We will never surrender to Islam."
Conservative political activist Laura Loomer on X: "The media keeps trying to make it seem like someone tried to bomb [Mamdani], when in reality, it was Muslim Mamdani supporter who threw a homemade nail bomb at [Jake Lang]. I have invited Jake Lang to come on my show this week to discuss surviving an Islamic terrorist attack."
Former New York City Mayor Eric Adams on X: "No one should be surprised. After years of hateful rhetoric and incitement, attempts to justify attacks on Jews in Israel, praise for violence like the killing of a CEO, and chants about 'globalizing the intifada' and 'Death to America,' words have now escalated into violence on the streets of New York City, with explosives being thrown. We have a serious radicalization problem on both the far left and the far right, especially among young people. If we don’t confront it, this will only get worse. Thank you to the brave NYPD officers who once again ran toward danger and arrested the suspects."
New York Democrat Governor Kathy Hochul on X: "Incredibly grateful for New York’s Finest who ran toward danger yesterday to protect others. There is no place for violence of any kind in our State and those responsible for this cowardly act will be held accountable. State Police continue to assist NYPD with this."
Update 3/8/26, 4:26 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Update 3/8/26, 4:58 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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