By Andrew Ramos
Updated on: March 7, 2026 / 11:38 PM EST / CBS New York
New York City police said suspicious devices were ignited Saturday during clashing protests outside Gracie Mansion, the official residence of Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Six people have been arrested.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch told reporters in a Saturday evening news conference that an anti-Islam protest was organized by people associated with Jake Lang, a pardoned Jan. 6 rioter and far-right influencer, and was called “Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City/Stop New York City Public Muslim Prayer.”
Tisch said the protest drew about 20 participants, beginning at about 11 a.m. near East End Avenue and East 87th Street. A counterprotest called “Run the Nazis Out of New York City/Stand Against Hate” drew about 125 participants. NYPD officers arrived and separated the groups into designated protest areas.
Tensions escalated, and around 12:15 p.m. an individual from the initial protest used pepper spray against counter-protesters; Tisch said a suspect was later arrested. Shortly after 12:30 p.m., a counter-protester, identified as 18-year-old Emir Balat, lit and threw an ignited device toward the protesters. Witnesses saw flames and smoke as the device struck a barrier in a crosswalk a few feet from police officers before extinguishing itself.
Balat allegedly ran away, retrieved a second device from 19-year-old Ibrahim Nikk, lit it and began running with it before dropping it, Tisch said. Both Balat and Nikk were taken into custody. Tisch said the incident was captured by NYPD cameras.
The NYPD Bomb Squad examined the devices, which Tisch described as jars wrapped in black tape containing nuts, bolts, screws and a hobby fuse that could be lit. It was unclear whether they were functioning improvised explosive devices or hoax devices; they are undergoing further testing and analysis. Police continued to search the area for additional hazards but had found no other devices at the time.
Tisch said there is no indication the incident was related to the war with Iran. The NYPD confirmed the mayor was inside Gracie Mansion during the demonstrations.
A spokesperson for Mayor Mamdani called the “Crusade Against Islamification” gathering organized by Jake Lang “despicable and Islamophobic,” saying the mayor and the First Lady are safe and that the events were a stark reminder of the threats they face. The statement noted Mamdani has spoken with Commissioner Tisch and that the NYPD is actively investigating the protest, counter-protest and suspicious devices.
A total of six arrests were made at the protests, including Balat, Nikk and the pepper spray suspect, who was not identified. An additional three arrests were for disorderly conduct and obstructing traffic. The investigation is ongoing, and the FBI New York Joint Terrorism Task Force is also investigating.
Mark Prussin contributed to this report.