New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has voiced his concerns following an incident where an explosive device was hurled outside his residence during a weekend demonstration.
The gathering on Saturday was orchestrated by far-right influencer Jake Lang, who led an anti-Muslim protest at Gracie Mansion, the mayor’s official home.
The event, titled ‘Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City, Stop New York City Public Muslim Prayer,’ attracted approximately 25 individuals. In contrast, a larger group of around 125 people assembled in a counter-protest named ‘Run the Nazis out of New York City, Stand Against Hate.’
At about 12:30 p.m., Emir Balat, an 18-year-old participant in the counter-protest, reportedly ignited and placed an explosive device near law enforcement officers.
Balat is also accused of obtaining a second device from 19-year-old Ibrahim Kayumi, which he allegedly placed on the west side of East End Avenue, between East 86th and 87th Streets.
Initially, authorities were uncertain if the devices in question were actual explosives or mere replicas intended as a scare tactic.
But on Sunday, Mamdani and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed the devices were real and could have been fatal if they had gone off.
In a public statement, the mayor said: ‘Yesterday, white supremacist Jake Lang organized a protest outside Gracie Mansion rooted in bigotry and racism.
Emir Balat, 18, is pictured allegedly lighting and dropping an explosive at a counter-protest against an anti-Muslim demonstration organized by far-right influencer Jake Lang
Balat is pictured fleeing after dropping the improvised explosive near police officers. Police initially were unsure if the device was an imitation or a real bomb
An NYPD officer is pictured recoiling as the explosive rolls under him, and Balat jumps over a barrier. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed the explosive was real on Sunday
The anti-Muslim protest was organized by Lang (pictured) in front of Gracie Mansion, which is New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s residence
‘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. What followed was even more disturbing. Violence at a protest is never acceptable.
‘The attempt to use an explosive device and hurt others is not only criminal, it is reprehensible and the antithesis of who we are. I want to thank the brave men and women of the NYPD who acted quickly to keep New Yorkers safe.
‘Our officers ran toward danger without hesitation, demonstrating once again the courage and dedication it takes to protect this city every single day.’
The mayor added that his administration is ‘closely monitoring the situation’ and that he is in close contact with Tisch.
The police commissioner released her own statement that said: ‘The NYPD Bomb Squad has conducted a preliminary analysis of a device that was ignited and deployed at a protest yesterday and has determined that it is not a hoax device or a smoke bomb.
‘It is, in fact, an improvised explosive device that could have caused serious injury or death. Further analysis will be conducted, including on a second device.’
Tisch also confirmed that Balat and Kayumi, the teenagers who allegedly set off the devices, were arrested by the NYPD and are in custody.
She added that the department’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is working with the US Attorney’s Office and the FBI to investigate the matter, and like the mayor, she thanked the officers who ‘ran towards the danger without hesitation.’
Mamdani described Lang as a ‘white supremacist’ in his public statement addressing the explosives that were set off near his home
Tisch confirmed on Sunday that her department had arrested Balat and an alleged accomplice and has them in custody. Balat is pictured after being tackled to the ground by police officers
The actions of the teens who threw the bombs are reportedly being investigated as an act of terrorism, as one of the suspects apparently mentioned ISIS to law enforcement
On Sunday afternoon, NBC correspondent Tom Winters reported that the NYPD and FBI are looking into the incident as a potential act of terrorism because one of the suspects repeatedly mentioned ISIS to law enforcement.
Tensions between the two protesting groups on Saturday escalated around 12.15pm after a seemingly peaceful start to the day.
An individual from Lang’s protest named Ian McGinnis, 21, allegedly used pepper spray against the liberal counter protesters and was arrested before the teens allegedly attempted to set off explosives, police said.
Shortly after the protest, Tisch said: ‘Witnesses reported seeing flames and smoke as [the explosive] travelled through the air before it struck a barrier a few feet from police officers.’
Three others, who have not been identified, were also arrested over alleged disorderly conduct and traffic obstruction.
Mamdani and his wife, Rama Duwaji, were not believed to be at home at the time, and no injuries were reported.
City spokesperson Joe Calvello told NBC News: ‘Thankfully, the Mayor and the First Lady are both safe, though the events are a stark reminder of the threats they both face regularly.’
Lang is one of the more than 1,500 Capitol riot defendants who were pardoned by President Donald Trump last year after taking office.
Mamdani released this public statement addressing the bombs thrown outside Gracie Mansion on Saturday
Tisch released her own statement regarding the bombs a little before Mayor Mamdani did
Lang was one of the more than 1,500 January 6 insurrectionists who were pardoned by Trump when he took office last January
Lang’s protest was titled ‘Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City, Stop New York City Public Muslim Prayer,’ and only drew 25 people. One of the attendees is pictured
Tisch described the pictured bomb as an ‘improvised explosive device’ that could have caused serious injury or been fatal if it had gone off
He later described the January 6, 2021, rioters as an ‘organized unit of patriots trying to take on tyrants.’
The Daily Mail has reached out to the NYPD and FBI for comment about Saturday’s incident and the investigation into whether it was an act of terrorism.
