Manhattan police arrested six people on Saturday after a protest outside Gracie Mansion, the official residence of New York City Mayor
Zohran Mamdani turned violent when "ignited devices" were thrown during clashes between protesters.
Authorities said one protester allegedly hurled two smoking projectiles containing bolts and screws during the confrontation, prompting an investigation and multiple arrests.
A video circulating online showed one individual handing the device to another shortly before the arrest was made outside the mansion.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the devices appeared to be improvised objects. "The bomb squad responded and...based on a preliminary examination and X-ray imaging, the devices which were a bit smaller than a football appeared to be a jar wrapped in black tape -- importantly with nuts, bolts and screws along with a hobby fuse that could be lit," Tisch said, The New York Times reported.
"We don't yet know if they contained energetic (explosive) material," Tisch added.
Detailing the incident, Tisch said that, "witnesses reported seeing flames and smoke as it travelled through the air before it struck a barrier and extinguished itself a few feet from police officers."
The FBI’s New York field office later confirmed it had recovered two "suspicious objects" from the area near Gracie Mansion. The bureau said its Joint Counterterrorism Task Force is now investigating the incident alongside the NYPD.
What triggered the incident?The incident began when far-right activist Jake Lang organised a demonstration titled "Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City" near the Upper East Side residence of Mayor Mamdani, who is New York’s first Muslim mayor.
Lang arrived with about 20 supporters, some wearing American flag hats and "Freedom" sweatshirts, a slogan associated with slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk. He also brought a goat to the protest.
As the gathering continued, more than 100 counter protesters arrived at the scene, shouting at Lang and his supporters. Tensions soon escalated.
Police said one of Lang’s supporters used pepper spray on a group of counter protesters, causing several people to double over in tears. Soon after, fistfights broke out, and objects including raw eggs were thrown in the crowd.
During the chaos, a protester threw two smoking objects, one of which landed on East 87th Street in flames, prompting people nearby to run for cover.
Police identified several individuals taken into custody during the protest.
Among them was Emir Balat, 18, of Langhorne, Pennsylvania, who authorities say threw the smoking devices toward the crowd.
Ibrahim Nikk, 19, is accused of providing one of the objects used in the incident. Another arrest involved Ian McGinnis, 21, who police said used pepper spray against counter protesters during the clashes.
Authorities said charges against Balat and Nikk were still being determined pending analysis of the devices. McGinnis is expected to face reckless endangerment charges, according to a former senior law enforcement official, NYT reported.
Police said Mayor Mamdani and his wife were not at Gracie Mansion when the protest took place.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul said she had been briefed on the situation. While acknowledging the right to protest, she emphasised that violence would not be tolerated. She said the state respects peaceful demonstrations but has "zero tolerance for hate or violence."