There was a lot of action near Gracie Mansion, the home of the mayor of New York City, with a protest and a counter-protest taking place on Saturday.
The initial protest, called "Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City: Stop New York City Public Muslim Prayer," was organized by people connected to anti-Islam activist Jake Lang, who was also there. Then there was a counter-protest, "Run the Nazis out of New York City: Stand Against Hate."
According to Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, it was about 12:30 PM when a counter-protester allegedly tossed an "ignited device" toward the protest and the police, which landed in the crosswalk of East 87th and East End Avenue. Witnesses said they saw flames and smoke coming from it. Fortunately, it hit a barrier and extinguished itself. The police identified the man as Emir Balat, 18. The man then allegedly ran down the street and got a second device from a second man, who the police tentatively identified as Ibrahim Nikk. Balat allegedly lit it, dropped it, and was then taken down by the police.
Watch as @NYPDPC and NYPD executives brief the media on an ongoing investigation. https://t.co/FgTRZHumPV pic.twitter.com/MKsui1817S
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) March 7, 2026
At the protest outside Gracie Mansion in NYC, a shocking moment was captured on video. In the exact second the incident unfolded, an Arab male can be seen running toward activist Jake Lang while yelling “Allahu Akbar,” holding what appears to be an explosive device before… pic.twitter.com/nyoKTYjEaZ
— Viral News NYC (@ViralNewsNYC) March 7, 2026
You can see the man run down the street, get something from another man, and then get taken down by the police in this video.
The police said the devices were jars, wrapped in black tape, that contained "nuts, bolts, and screws" with a fuse that could be lit. It wasn't clear yet if the device was functional, they explained, but they were being further tested. They also checked the area for any more possible devices.
Tisch said the two individuals were arrested. Four others were arrested regarding other protest actions. Tisch said there was no indication that this was related to the military action going on in Iran.
I always speak about the police running towards danger when everyone else runs away — that happened today.
— Jessica S. Tisch (@NYPDPC) March 8, 2026
Officers ran towards a man carrying an ignited suspicious device. They put the safety of others above their own.
Today, as always, I thank them for their noble service. pic.twitter.com/r2NzlzKfnP
“I always speak about the police running towards the danger when everyone else runs away. Let me be clear, that happened today.
“Officers, many of whom are here with me, ran toward a man carrying a suspicious device; they put the safety of others and their sworn duty to protect and serve above their own personal safety, and I am grateful that there were no injuries associated with the incident,” she said.
“Today, as always, I thank our police for their noble service.”
The NYPD is continuing its investigation, along with the Joint Terrorism Task Force, police sources said.
Some media coverage didn't break down who was doing what, so if you read it, you might think it was protesters rather than an alleged counterprotester who threw the device, and that it was against the mayor rather than against the protest. This headline, for example, using "found" made it look like Zohran Mamdani was the target.
Multiple arrests made after "suspicious devices" found outside Gracie Mansion, home of Mayor Zohran Mamdani, during anti-Islam rally and counterprotest.https://t.co/qKvlIENj5A
— NBC New York (@NBCNewYork) March 8, 2026
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