New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani addressed the 7 March clash that escalated when a protester threw an ignited device near Gracie Mansion.

Authorities have arrested two suspects in connection with the ignition of an explosive that was thrown 'toward the protest area' just outside Gracie Mansion, according toPeople. In the aftermath, Mamdani took to X to call out the 7 March protest as both 'disturbing' and 'responsible.'

Per the news outlet, the incident happened amidst an anti-Islam protest organised byJake Lang, a right-wing influencer. Dubbed as 'Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City,' the event also drew crowds of counter-protesters.

Authorities reported that during a clash between the two groups, someone from Lang's camp used pepper spray to assault counter-protesters. Someone from the latter group allegedly 'lit and threw an ignited device toward the protest area,' approximately 20 minutes later.

The ignited device landed on a sidewalk outside of Gracie Mansion, Mamdani and his wife Rama Duwaji's official New York residence. Neither was at home at the time of the incident.

'White supremacist Jake Lang organised a protest outside Gracie Mansion rooted in bigotry and racism,' Mamdani wrote on X. 'Such hate has no place in New York City. It is an affront to our city's values and the unity that defines who we are.'

Yesterday, white supremacist Jake Lang organized a protest outside Gracie Mansion rooted in bigotry and racism. Such hate has no place in New York City. It is an affront to our city’s values and the unity that defines who we are.What followed was even more disturbing. Violence…

'What followed was even more disturbing,' he added, referring to the ignited explosive device. 'Violence at a protest is never acceptable. The attempt to use an explosive device and hurt others is not only criminal, it is reprehensible and the antithesis of who we are.'

New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed that the explosive device was real, and not a decoy. 'The NYPD Bomb Squad has conducted a preliminary analysis of a device that was ignited and deployed at a protest yesterday and has determined that it is not a hoax device or a smoke bomb,' she said.

'It is, in fact, an improvised explosive device that could have caused serious injury or death. Further analysis will be conducted, including on a second device.'

Source: International Business Times UK