Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing criticism following a chaotic snowball fight in Washington Square Park that turned hostile against NYPD officers during Monday’s snowstorm. The incident, which was captured on video, shows individuals aggressively pelting police with large snowballs, sparking outrage and debate.
Prominent figures like former Governor Andrew Cuomo and former Mayor Eric Adams were quick to hold Mamdani accountable, attributing the incident to his past comments criticizing the police. Cuomo took to social media platform X to express his frustration, stating, “This behavior is disgraceful. A mayor who has labeled the police as ‘racist, evil, wicked, and corrupt’ has set the stage for such actions,” urging Mamdani to condemn the attack.
Cuomo further emphasized the impact of rhetoric, noting, “Words have consequences. This is evident in the increasing disrespect towards law enforcement, mirroring the rise in antisemitism. True leaders recognize this, but it seems this mayor does not.”
Eric Adams also criticized Mamdani, suggesting that the mayor and his allies have provided a “terrible example” for the public. The incident has sparked a broader conversation about leadership, responsibility, and the power of words in shaping public behavior.
“Words have consequences. We are seeing that in the growing disrespect for law enforcement — just as we’ve seen it in the rise in antisemitism. Real leaders understand that. This mayor does not.”
Adams piled on, too, insinuating that Hizzoner and others had set a “terrible example.”
“Watching officers get pelted with snow while they are out in brutal weather protecting this city should make every New Yorker furious. It is disgusting behavior,” he raged.
“And the politicians who constantly bash the police and refuse to have their backs are setting a terrible example. Leadership matters. Tone matters.”
“This is disgraceful. @NYCMayor and every elected official in our city should denounce this juvenile attack on our NYPD. Back the blue and hold those who disrespect them accountable,” US Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY) of Staten Island added.
It comes as NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said police were investigating the antics — as cop unions called for arrests to be made.
“Unacceptable and outrageous — this is the environment that NYC police officers are up against,” the Police Benevolent Association said in a statement.
“The individuals involved must be identified, arrested and charged with assault on a police officer. And all of our city leaders must speak up to condemn this despicable attack.”
Detectives’ Endowment Association president Scott Munro also called out the troublemakers, saying: “What we saw in Washington Square Park today was not harmless fun — it was a deliberate, outrageous, and dangerous attack on uniformed police officers.”
Mamdani so far has been mum about the ordeal.
The violence unfolded when an organized snowball fight with hundreds of winter revelers quickly descended into pure pandemonium just as the snowy conditions were easing on Monday afternoon.
Police responding to the ruckus were quickly tormented and pelted with snowballs at close range as they patrolled the park.
At one point, an agitator could be seen dunking a huge chunk of ice on an officer’s head before fleeing.
The officers were forced to retreat into their SUV and were spotted driving out of the park.
“The NYPD is aware of certain videos taken earlier today in Washington Square Park showing individuals attacking cops,” the commissioner said in a statement on X in the aftermath.
“I want to be very clear: The behavior depicted is disgraceful, and it is criminal. Our detectives are investigating this matter.”
