By Andrew Ramos — Updated March 7, 2026
New York City police say suspicious devices were ignited Saturday amid clashes between an anti-Islam demonstration and a larger counterprotest outside Gracie Mansion, the mayor’s official residence on the Upper East Side. Six people were arrested.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the anti-Islam gathering was organized by people associated with Jake Lang, a pardoned Jan. 6 rioter and far-right influencer. The demonstration, promoted under the name “Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City/Stop New York City Public Muslim Prayer,” drew about 20 participants and began near East End Avenue and East 87th Street around 11 a.m.
A counterprotest calling itself “Run the Nazis Out of New York City/Stand Against Hate” attracted roughly 125 people. NYPD officers arrived and separated the groups into designated areas to prevent direct contact.
Tensions rose late morning. Commissioner Tisch said a person from the anti-Islam group used pepper spray against counter-protesters at about 12:15 p.m.; that suspect was later arrested. Around 12:30 p.m., an 18-year-old counter-protester, identified by police as Emir Balat, allegedly ignited and threw a device toward the other demonstrators. Witnesses reported flames and smoke as the device struck a barrier in a crosswalk a few feet from officers before going out.
Tisch said Balat ran back, obtained a second device from 19-year-old Ibrahim Nikk, lit it and ran with it before dropping it. Both Balat and Nikk were taken into custody. NYPD video captured portions of the incident, according to Tisch.
The NYPD Bomb Squad examined the items, which were described as jars wrapped in black tape containing nuts, bolts, screws and a hobby fuse that could be lit. Authorities said it remains unclear whether the containers were functioning improvised explosive devices or hoax devices; they are undergoing laboratory testing. Police searched the area for additional hazards and reported none found at the time.
Officials said there is no indication the incident was connected to the war with Iran. The NYPD confirmed Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the First Lady were inside Gracie Mansion during the demonstrations and were unharmed.
A mayoral spokesperson condemned the gathering organized by Lang as “despicable and Islamophobic,” and noted Mamdani has spoken with Commissioner Tisch. The statement said the episode underscored threats the mayor and his family face and that the NYPD is actively investigating the protests and the suspicious devices.
Six arrests were made in total: Balat, Nikk, the pepper-spray suspect and three others for disorderly conduct and obstructing traffic. The investigation is ongoing, and the FBI New York Joint Terrorism Task Force has joined local authorities in the probe.
Mark Prussin contributed to this report.