Hardliners toss explosives and demonstrate in front of New York City Mayor Mamdani's residence.
Police said an improvised explosive device (IED) was thrown during a protest in front of the residence of New York City Mayor Zohrab Mamdani. Two people have been taken into custody on suspicion of involvement in the incident.
The incident took place last Saturday in front of the mayor's official residence, Gracie Mansion. The following Sunday, police officially confirmed the matter.
On the day of the incident, a group of far-right and anti-Muslim protesters led by rights activist Jake Lang gathered in front of Mamdani's official residence. At that time, another group started a counter-protest. There were scuffles and clashes between far-right protesters and them.
New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said that initial analysis showed that the object thrown by the protester was not a fake object or a smoke bomb. In fact, it was a homemade IED, which could have caused serious injuries and even death.
Jessica Tisch also said that further tests are being conducted on the recovered explosive and another similar explosive found near the scene.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said that two men, Emir Balat and Ibrahim Qayumi, were arrested at the scene. The FBI has also joined the investigation into the incident.
Police had previously said that Emir Balat was with a group of counter-protesters. From there, he threw the explosive at the police barricade. However, it did not explode.
According to information provided by the police, the explosive was packed with nuts, bolts and screws. It was used in the so-called 'hobby fuse' or domestic salt. Police also said that Emir Balat left another explosive on the road while fleeing the scene.
‘Never acceptable’
In a statement on Sunday, Mayor Mamdani condemned Jake Lang’s protest. He called the post-protest violence even more concerning. Mamdani said, “Violence at a protest is never acceptable.”
Mamdani added, “Attempting to harm others by using explosives is not only a crime, it is highly reprehensible and goes against our ideals.”
Jake Lang is a hard-line right-wing political rights activist. He was arrested in connection with the attack on Capitol Hill in the United States on January 6, 2021. However, President Donald Trump pardoned him last year. He called for the protest to oppose the alleged “Islamization” of New York City.
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