A counterprotester demonstrating against an anti-Islam event in New York City lit and threw a device containing nuts, bolts, and screws at the protesting crowd after someone from that group used pepper spray on the counterprotesters. The incident began late Saturday morning near Gracie Mansion when an individual associated with conservative influencer Jake Lang shot pepper spray into a counterprotesting group.
Key Takeaways
A counterprotester threw a device containing nuts, bolts, and screws at an anti-Islam protest near Gracie Mansion in New York City after pepper spray was used by someone from the anti-Islam group. Police arrested three individuals and are investigating whether the devices were functioning explosives or hoaxes.
- Counterprotester throws device at anti-Islam protesters after pepper spray is used
- Devices contained nuts, bolts, screws, and a hobby fuse
- Three people arrested; investigation ongoing to determine if devices were functional
- No injuries reported; Mayor Zohran Mamdani not present at Gracie Mansion during the incident
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch reported that tensions escalated when one of the counterprotesters lit and threw a device, described as smaller than a football, into the protesting crowd of about 20 people. The device struck a barrier and extinguished itself near police officers. The same person then ran, and another individual gave them a second device, which was subsequently dropped.
The devices were wrapped in black tape with nuts, bolts, screws, and a hobby fuse that could be lit. It remains unclear whether the devices were functioning explosives or hoaxes. Three people have been arrested, and an investigation is underway. No injuries were reported during a news conference, and it was believed that Mayor Zohran Mamdani was not in the residence at the time.
Jake Lang, associated with the anti-Islam protest, has a history of legal issues including charges for assaulting an officer with a baseball bat, civil disorder, and other crimes. He received clemency as part of Donald Trump's act of clemency for January 6 defendants last year and recently announced his candidacy for U.S. Senate in Florida.
According to Commissioner Tisch, about 20 people attended the protest tied to Lang on Saturday, while the counterprotest had approximately 125 people at its peak. The incident is part of a broader context of protests and counterprotests related to immigration policies and political movements in recent years.
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