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Six people are in custody after two homemade explosive devices were tossed outside Gracie Mansion Saturday during competing anti- and pro-Muslim protests, causing a panic.

Dozens of demonstrators and counter-protesters fled as smoke started to billow from a device which appeared to have a lit fuse and was wrapped in duct tape. There were no injuries and no explosion at roughly 12:30 p.m. standoff, police said. 


  An unknown device went off at Gracie Mansion on Saturday, causing a plume of smoke and inciting chaos, according to sources and police. REUTERS An unknown device went off at Gracie Mansion on Saturday, causing a plume of smoke and inciting chaos, according to sources and police. REUTERS

  Jake Lang, a conservative, right-wing influencer, stages a “stop the Islamification of NYC” demonstration outside Gracie Mansion, the official residence of Mayor Zorhan Mamdani. Michael Nigro Jake Lang, a conservative, right-wing influencer, stages a “stop the Islamification of NYC” demonstration outside Gracie Mansion, the official residence of Mayor Zorhan Mamdani. Michael Nigro

  A man was seen holding the device during the protest outside Gracie Mansion. REUTERS A man was seen holding the device during the protest outside Gracie Mansion. REUTERS

  Four people, including one man seen holding the unknown device, were arrested. Michael Nigro Four people, including one man seen holding the unknown device, were arrested. Michael Nigro

  The unknown device that went off outside Gracie Mansion on Saturday, March 7, 2026.
 The unknown device that went off outside Gracie Mansion on Saturday, March 7, 2026.

A second device was also seen, according to the NYPD.

Those devices were glass jars wrapped in electrical tape containing bolts, screws, and nuts and featuring a hobby fuse “that could be lit,” according to the NYPD.

The NYPD was still investigating whether the homemade devices were functional and if they contained any explosive material, said Commissioner Jessica Tisch.

“I always speak about the police running towards the danger when everyone else runs away. Let me be clear, that happened today.

“Officers, many of whom are here with me, ran toward a man carrying a suspicious device, they put the safety of others and their sworn duty to protect and serve above their own personal safety, and I am grateful that there were no injuries associated with the incident,” she said.

“Today, as always, I thank our police for their noble service.”

The NYPD is continuing its investigation, along with the Joint Terrorism Task Force, police sources said.

Two people were in custody after the homemade-grenade hurling incident.


  Conservative influencer Ian McGinnis releases pepper spray as he and Frank Scales clash with other demonstrators outside Gracie Mansion. AFP via Getty Images Conservative influencer Ian McGinnis releases pepper spray as he and Frank Scales clash with other demonstrators outside Gracie Mansion. AFP via Getty Images

  Police clashed with protestors during the rally outside Gracie Mansion. Michael Nigro Police clashed with protestors during the rally outside Gracie Mansion. Michael Nigro

  Right-wing influencer Jake Lang raises a fist at Saturday’s protest organized by the influencer. Getty Images Right-wing influencer Jake Lang raises a fist at Saturday’s protest organized by the influencer. Getty Images

Counter protester Emir Balat, 18, lit and threw the first device into the crosswalk of East 87th Street and East End Avenue, where it struck a barrier and later extinguished itself, police said.

The second person, who has been tentatively identified as 19-year-old Ibrahim Nikk, allegedly handed the device to Balat, authorities said.

Balat is alleged to have lit a second improvised explosive which he dropped on while running on East End Avenue between East 86th and East 87th Street.


  Counter protesters arrived at the same time and tensions flared between the groups. Lone Pine Press for NY Post Counter protesters arrived at the same time and tensions flared between the groups. Lone Pine Press for NY Post

  A total of two devices were found at the scene, according to the NYPD. Lone Pine Press for NY Post A total of two devices were found at the scene, according to the NYPD. Lone Pine Press for NY Post

Here’s the latest on the bombs thrown outside Gracie Mansion

“We’re not tracking any injuries,” sources told The Post, adding that the devices were still being examined before being detonated and destroyed at Rodman’s Neck in the Bronx. Reports that one of the devices was a nail bomb were inaccurate, cops said.

Four others were cuffed for their role in the initial protest, which was organized by anti-Muslim, right-wing agitator Jack Lang. Lang was not arrested.

His small group of 20 haters were met by about 125 pro-Muslim protesters, witnesses said.

It is unclear which group brought the devices.

“We’re not going to get into that yet,” a police spokesman told The Post.


  This photo shows an unexploded suspicious explosive device thrown by a left-wing activist towards police during a protest organized by far-right influencer Jake Lang against alleged “Islamification” in New York on Saturday. AFP via Getty Images This photo shows an unexploded suspicious explosive device thrown by a left-wing activist towards police during a protest organized by far-right influencer Jake Lang against alleged “Islamification” in New York on Saturday. AFP via Getty Images

Photos show an unidentified individual light what appeared to be a handmade bomb and move to launch it in the street towards a throng of people. Video of the same man showed him lighting a similar device and running down the street before being tackled by NYPD cops.

Other photos show a different person also getting tackled and dog-piled by police at the scene. 

More video from the scene showed one person deploying pepper spray as he was stalked by a crowd of angry, masked demonstrators.


  A man is arrested after throwing a curiously constructed device at right-wing activist Jake Lang and his supporters on March 7, 2026, in New York City. Getty Images A man is arrested after throwing a curiously constructed device at right-wing activist Jake Lang and his supporters on March 7, 2026, in New York City. Getty Images

Counterprotesters showed up in force after online group General Strike NYC called for their supporters to meet Lang with their own “Run The Nazis Out Of NYC” event.

The right-wing provocateur also brought along a fully cooked pig to taunt Muslims, who eschew pork for religious reasons. Lang has conducted similar stunts at previous protests — holding up baby pigs as “Islam’s kryptonite.”

Lang later claimed “there was an assassination attempt on my life today by two Muslim men, they threw what appears to be a nail bomb — landing a few feet from me and my team.


  Right-wing protesters demonstrate at the rally. Getty Images Right-wing protesters demonstrate at the rally. Getty Images

“We will never surrender to radical Islam. Jesus is King.”

Mayor Mamdani’s Press Secretary, Joe Calvello, put out a statement late Saturday that said: “The ‘Crusade Against Islamification’ gathering held outside Gracie Mansion today by Jake Lang, a vile white supremacist, was despicable and Islamophobic.  

“Thankfully, the Mayor and the First Lady are both safe, though the events are a stark reminder of the threats they both face regularly. 

“The Mayor has spoken with Police Commissioner Tisch, and the NYPD is actively investigating the protest, counter-protest, and suspicious devices discovered outside Gracie Mansion.”

The NYPD, meanwhile, said the devices did not explode or detonate.

Video circulating on X showed the moment one device was thrown towards Lang.

Lang said he fled New York City for Long Island after the incident.

On Friday, Lang showed up to a vigil for Ayatollah Khamenei at Washington Square Park — appearing to hump a goat and wave an American flag in the back of a UHaul van, according to online video.

Police have not released the identity of any individuals in custody or announced any charges.

Additional reporting by Jennifer Bain and Khristina Narizhnaya

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