Explosives thrown outside New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani's home, 6 arrested

News Topical, Digital Desk : A protest outside Gracie Mansion, the official residence of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, turned violent when incendiary devices were thrown during clashes between protesters. Manhattan police arrested six people on Saturday in connection with the incident.

Authorities said a protester allegedly threw two projectiles containing bolts and screws during the confrontation, sparking an investigation and leading to several arrests. A video circulating online shows one man passing the devices to another shortly before the arrests outside the mansion.

What did the Police Commissioner say?

Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the devices appeared to be manufactured. According to a New York Times report, Tisch said, “The bomb squad responded and... based on initial examination and X-ray imaging, the devices, which were slightly smaller than footballs, appeared to be a jar wrapped in black tape. Notably, they contained nuts, bolts, and screws, along with a hobby fuse that could be lit.”

Tisch added, "We don't yet know if they contained energized (explosive) material." Giving details about the incident, Tisch said, "Witnesses reported seeing flames and smoke billowing into the air before it struck a barrier and self-extinguished just a few feet from police officers."

He also said, "The FBI's New York Field Office later confirmed that they had recovered two suspicious items in the area near Gracie Mansion."

What caused the incident?

The incident occurred after far-right activist Jake Lang organized a protest titled "Stop the Islamic Occupation of New York City" near the Upper East Side home of Mayor Mamdani, New York's first Muslim mayor.

Lang arrived with about 20 supporters, some of whom wore American flag hats and sweatshirts emblazoned with "Freedom," a slogan associated with slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

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