Six arrested during anti-Muslim protest outside NYC mayor’s residence

2026-03-08 - 11:43

NEW YORK — Six people were arrested Saturday after clashes erupted during a far-right anti-Muslim protest outside the residence of Zohran Mamdani, according to the New York Police Department.The incident occurred near Gracie Mansion, where about 20 demonstrators linked to far-right activist Jake Lang gathered for the protest while around 120 counter-protesters assembled nearby.Jessica Tisch said tensions escalated when a member of the anti-Muslim group allegedly used pepper spray on a counter-protester and was subsequently arrested.Other arrests were made for disorderly conduct and blocking traffic as police worked to contain the confrontation.Two counter-protesters were also arrested after allegedly using smoke-producing devices during the incident, officials said.Tisch said the devices appeared to be “jars wrapped in black tape containing nuts, bolts and screws, fitted with a hobby-style fuse that could be ignited.”Investigators are examining the objects to determine whether they were functional improvised explosive devices, smoke bombs or hoax devices.No injuries were reported.Mamdani and his wife, Rama Duwaji, were safe during the incident, according to mayoral spokesman Joe Calvello, who said it was not immediately clear whether they were inside the residence at the time.Calvello condemned the protest, calling Lang a “vile white supremacist” and describing the demonstration as “despicable and Islamophobic.”He added that the mayor remained in contact with the police commissioner and was receiving updates about the situation.