Far-right provocateur’s ‘stop the Islamic takeover’ protest spiraled into a street war that spilled into Zohran Mamdani’s house

Six people found themselves under arrest Saturday after a clash between far-right protesters and counter-protesters outside Gracie Mansion in Manhattan turned into a full-blown street skirmish. The situation escalated rapidly, with police saying one individual even threw smoking projectiles filled with bolts and screws.

Far-right activist Jake Lang is responsible for the “Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City” demonstration. Lang waspardoned by Donald Trump for charges tied to the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol and his protest was specifically aimed at the Upper East Side home of New York’s first Muslim mayor, Zohran Mamdani. 

Lang showed up with a goat and about 20 followers decked out in American flag hats and “Freedom” sweatshirts. As the day wore on, a crowd of over 100 counter-protesters gathered, shouting at Lang and his group. The tension was palpable, and things quickly spiraled out of control.

The fascists turn violent

One of Lang’s followers sprayed mace into the group of counter-protesters, leaving some in tears and doubled over. Fistfights broke out in the crowd, and raw eggs started flying through the air. Then, a counter-protester threw two smoking objects, and one of them landed on East 87th Street in flames, sending protesters scrambling for cover.

Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch described the devices as “a bit smaller than a football,” appearing to be jars wrapped in tape and packed with nuts, bolts, screws, and a “hobby fuse.”

Police arrested six people in connection with the incident. Among them were Emir Balat, 18, the counterprotester accused of throwing the devices, and Ibrahim Nikk, 19, who allegedly supplied one of them. Ian McGinnis, 21, was also arrested and identified by a law enforcement official as the individual who pepper-sprayed the counterprotesters.

Thankfully, Mayor Mamdani and his wife were not home during the protest, according to Commissioner Tisch. Mamdani later condemned the violence:

Lang recently organized a counterprotest in Minneapolis that also turned violent. Earlier this week, conservative radio host Sid Rosenberg made some pretty awful remarks, describing Mayor Mamdani as a “jihadist” and a “radical Islam cockroach.” Plus, just the night before, Lang caused trouble at a vigil for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Washington Square Park.

There have been a lot of protests lately, most aimed at ICE. Some, like the one outside the Olympics, are normal, then there are the people getting creative and weaponizing crows. This one was a surprise for most New Yorkers. However, some weren’t fazed. Morgan Magid, 29, put it pretty succinctly, saying, “Antifascist protesting is probably more important than my gym routine.”