Zohran Mamdani
New York City authorities are investigating whether the improvised explosive devices thrown during protests near the residence of Mayor Zohran Mandani were part of an IS-inspired terrorist act, the city’s police commissioner said on Monday, according to news agency AP.The devices, which did not explode, were thrown during tense protests Saturday near Gracie Mansion, where demonstrators had gathered for a “Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City” rally led by far-right activist Jake Lang.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the explosives, which consisted of nuts, bolts, screws and a hobby fuse, could have caused serious injuries or deaths if they had detonated.Tisch said at a press conference that two people have been detained for alleged involvement in the incident, although they have not yet been charged. Authorities are working with federal prosecutors and the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force as part of the investigation.“I can confirm this morning that this is being investigated as an act of ISIS-inspired terrorism,” Tisch said.He said investigators had found no connection to conflicts in Iran or abroad.“At this time, we do not have any information that connects this investigation to what is going on overseas in Iran,” Tisch said.According to police, very few people attended the rally and were joined by a large group of counter-protesters. During the confrontation, a man reportedly threw a smoking object filled with metal fragments into the crowd. The device automatically extinguished just a few steps away from the police officers. The same person then dropped a second device which did not ignite.Separately, authorities said they found a suspicious device Saturday inside a vehicle on East End Avenue between 81st and 82nd streets. Several nearby roads were closed and buildings evacuated before police removed the Honda Civic from the area using a flatbed truck. The roads were later reopened.Lang, who organized the rally, was previously charged with assault on a police officer, civil disorder and other crimes related to the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, but was released under President Donald Trump’s blanket pardon order. He has since announced plans to run for US Senate in Florida.Earlier this year, Lange also held a rally in Minneapolis in support of Trump’s immigration crackdown, which led to mass protests and forced the event to be dispersed.