4 people arrested after smoke-generating 'suspicious device' thrown during protest at Gracie Mansion
abc7ny.com

... Four people are in custody after a smoke-generating "suspicious device" was thrown during a protest at Gracie Mansion on Saturday.

According to police sources, one person was arrested for disorderly conduct. Another person was arrested for deploying pepper spray.

Two other people are accused of throwing a suspicious device. The bomb squad is now investigating if the device was a smoke bomb, after some smoke started coming out of the device before the crowd was moved back.

No injuries were reported during the incident.

The crowd outside Gracie Mansion started dispersing on Saturday afternoon. Meanwhile, authorities are reviewing surveillance cameras to see if there was any other illegal activity and identify those responsible.

Police sources say the anti-Muslim rally was organized by a known agitator. ...

6 arrested after smoke-generating suspicious device thrown during dueling protests at Gracie Mansion
abc7ny.com

... Six people are in custody after a smoke-generating suspicious device was thrown during a protest at Gracie Mansion on Saturday.

Police say it happened shortly after noon when two demonstrations converged on each other and tensions escalated. One protest was a Jake Lang anti-Muslim protest with approximately 20 participants. The counter protest had approximately 125 participants.

Then, around 12:30 p.m. an 18-year-old counter protester lit and threw a device at 87th Street and East End Avenue. A second device was also thrown by another 19-year-old counter protester between 86th Street and 87th Street at East End Avenue.

The two counter protesters were arrested for handling the suspicious devices, another was arrested for deploying pepper spray and additional arrests were made related to disorderly conduct and obstructing traffic

They bomb squad is examining the devices, which appeared to be a jar with nuts bots screws and a fuse that could be lit. They are still trying to determine whether they were functional explosive devices or fake explosive devices.

I always speak about the police running towards danger when everyone else runs away " that happened today.Officers ran towards a man carrying an ignited suspicious device. They put the safety of others above their own.Today, as always, I thank them for their noble service. pic.twitter.com/r2NzlzKfnP
- - - Jessica S. Tisch (@NYPDPC) March 8, 2026

abc7ny.com

...A protest outside Gracie Mansion ended with six people in police custody after suspicious devices were launched into a crowd on Saturday afternoon.

The organizers and those who showed up for the protest faced some opposition as the two sides began to argue and chaos ensued. Two people are accused of throwing a suspicious device that began to smoke.

NYPD took down a man who they say lit and threw the suspicious device near East 87th Street and East End Avenue on the Upper East Side, fueling tense moments where anti-Muslim demonstrators and counter protesters collided. ...

Moments earlier, police say cameras captured the suspect, a counter protester identified as Emir Balat, 18, getting a second device from Ibrahim Nikk, 18, and igniting it, sending a cloud of smoke into the air. Police arrested both suspects.

"The devices, which were a bit smaller than a football, appear to be a jar wrapped in black tape...importantly with nuts, bolts and screws, along with a hobby fuse that could be lit. At this time, we do not yet know whether the devices were a functional improvised explosive devices or hoax devices," said NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch.

According to investigators, known agitator Jake Lang organized a 'Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City' protest with about 20 people around 11 a.m. Saturday. More than 100 counter protesters with 'Run the Nazis out of New York City's Stand Against Hate Group' demonstrated nearby.

Police were desperately trying to separate the two sides.

Shouts and fights broke out with protestors parading racist imagery. Pepper spray filled the air, sending people to their knees in tears. Police arrested four others, including the person with the anti-Muslim protest who used the pepper spray.

The chaos upended livelihoods. ...