On Saturday, March 7, 2026, an anti-Muslim protest, and then counterprotests, were held outside of the Gracie Mansion in New York City, the current residence of Mayor Zohran Mamdani. The protest was an anti-Muslim demonstration led by Jake Lang was called “Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City, Stop New York City Public Muslim Prayer.” Roughly twenty individuals were drawn to the initial protest, and 125 individuals were drawn to the counterprotest during its peak.
During the demonstration and protests, two devices were thrown near Gracie Mansion. Authorities have confirmed that these objects were homemade, improvised devices thrown with the intent to injure or harm individuals. At least one of the devices that was recovered contained explosive materials and fragmentations. A third device was recovered from a vehicle near the scene, and has been taken into custody for further testing.
Two individuals have been taken into custody as suspects of those who ignited the devices. They have been identified as Emir Balat, eighteen-years-old, and Ibrahim Kayumi, nineteen-years-old, both from Pennsylvania. Verified video footage and bystanders from the attacks shows and details the two men working together and throwing the devices. They have both been described as counterprotestors to the anti-Muslim demonstration and that their devices were targeted to injure or harm the initial protestors. Both are expected to be formally charged today, March 9, 2026.
The NYPD and FBI are officially launching a terrioism investigation on the incident. Jessica Tisch, the New York City Police Commissioner, has confirmed that the attacks are being investigated as an ISIS-inspired act of terrorism. Investigators are attempting to determine if the attacks were inspired by recent ISIS extremist messaging on online platforms. Since the start of the conflict with the United States and Iran, the messaging and calls for violence have intensified. However, Tisch has also confirmed that there has been no connection made thus far between the incident and the current conflict in Iran. Furthermore, there has been no social media announcements or messaging found by the two suspects about intentions to make an attack.
Mayor Mamdani and his wife were not at home at the time of the attack, and there were no injuries at the protests or counterprotests. Mamdani has spoken out on the incident, stating that the anti-Muslim protest was “rooted in bigotry and racism” and that it has no place in New York City, but he maintained his viewpoint that all individuals have the freedom to protest despite their beliefs. He has not formally addressed the two suspects of the attacks with explosives, but has commented on their criminality and how the incidents were “reprehensible and the antithesis of who we are.”
The investigation is still in its preliminary stages and will continue to be looked into further to determine the intention behind the incident. Investigators have launched search warrants in Pennsylvania regarding the suspects and have begun to talk with both of their family members.
