Two in custody after ‘suspicious devices’ lit outside Gracie Mansion amid anti-Islam protest
Two in Custody after ‘Suspicious Devices’ Lit Outside Gracie Mansion Amid Anti-Islam Protest
Authorities detained two individuals Saturday after two “suspicious devices” were activated during demonstrations near Gracie Mansion, the New York City mayor’s official residence. The incident unfolded as tensions rose between an anti-Islam rally and a counterprotest, according to police Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
Protest Context and Initial Reports
The anti-Islam demonstration, organized by conservative figure Jake Lang, was accompanied by a counterprotest. Tisch noted that the events took place during the holy month of Ramadan, which Muslims globally observe. She emphasized no injuries were reported, though the situation raised concerns about potential threats to the mayor and first lady.
“Thankfully, the Mayor and the First Lady are both safe, though the events are a stark reminder of the threats they both face regularly,” said Mamdani’s spokesperson, Joe Calvello, in a statement.
Device Details and Investigation
The devices, described as smaller than a football, were examined by bomb squad personnel. They appeared to be jars covered in black tape, containing nuts, bolts, screws, and a hobby fuse, Tisch explained. The NYPD remains unsure if the items were functional, improvised explosives, or a hoax, as they have not confirmed the presence of energetic material.
“We do not yet know whether the devices were functional, improvised explosive devices or hoax devices,” Tisch stated, highlighting the ongoing analysis.
Sequence of Events
Protests began around 11 a.m., with participants divided into separate zones by law enforcement. Tensions escalated shortly before noon when an 18-year-old counterprotester ignited a device and hurled it toward the protest area. The object landed in a crosswalk, producing visible flames and smoke before hitting a barrier and extinguishing itself a few feet from officers.
Following the initial device, the same individual retrieved a second one from a 19-year-old man. The 18-year-old then set it ablaze and dropped it on the west side of East End Avenue between East 86th and East 87th streets. Both suspects were taken into custody, though no charges had been filed by Saturday evening.
Arrests and Ongoing Inquiry
Overall, six people were arrested, including the two men responsible for the devices, the individual who deployed pepper spray, and others for disorderly conduct and traffic obstruction. The FBI’s joint terrorism task force has joined the investigation, with officials planning to visit Pennsylvania to interview the detainees’ relatives and contacts.
Tisch confirmed the incident was captured on an NYPD surveillance camera, though she noted there was no immediate link to the ongoing conflicts in Iran. The mayor, Zohran Mamdani, is New York City’s first Muslim leader. His spokesperson condemned the anti-Islam protest as “despicable and Islamophobic,” stressing the NYPD’s active role in examining the events.
Lang’s History and Protests
Jake Lang, a right-wing activist pardoned for his involvement in the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, has led similar demonstrations in recent weeks. He also hosted an anti-immigration protest in Minneapolis shortly after the killing of Renee Good, a 37-year-old woman shot by a federal immigration officer. Ahead of the rally, Lang had pledged to burn a Quran at the protest site but did not appear to carry it out.
Lang could not be reached for comment following the incident. The NYPD continues to investigate the origins of the devices and their connection to the broader protests. No additional devices were found during the safety perimeter established by officers, though searches involving K-9 units and manual checks are still in progress.
