Trending Now - Two Arrested After Devices Detonated at NYC Protest
WHO:
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani
Rama Duwaji, wife of Mayor Mamdani
Jake Lang, a 30-year-old far-right conservative influencer and pardoned Jan. 6 rioter
Emir Balat, 18, identified counterprotester
Ibrahim Nikk, 19, associated with Balat
Jessica Tisch, Police Commissioner of New York City
President Donald Trump
WHAT:
Two men were arrested for attempting to ignite suspicious homemade devices during a protest.
The protest was labeled "Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City" and drew about 20 participants.
A counterprotest, "Run the Nazis out of New York City," had up to 125 participants.
Police arrested a person in Lang's group for using pepper spray against counterprotesters.
Balat threw an ignited device toward Lang's group, which landed in a crosswalk.
The NYPD bomb squad took two suspicious devices for examination.
The devices were described as jars wrapped in black tape filled with nuts, bolts, and screws, with hobby fuses.
No charges have been filed against the arrested individuals as of the latest report.
Duwaji liked a social media post dismissing an investigation into sexual violence during the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack as a "hoax."
WHERE:
Gracie Mansion, the official residence of the Mayor of New York City, located near East End Avenue and 88th Street, Manhattan.
New York City
WHEN:
The protest occurred on March 7, 2026, at around 11 a.m.
The incident involving the ignited device occurred around 12:38 p.m. on March 7, 2026.
The October 7, 2023, Hamas attack is referenced in relation to Duwaji's social media activity.
Mamdani and Duwaji were married in early 2025.
WHY:
The protest was organized in response to perceived threats from Islamic groups.
Duwaji's social media activity has drawn scrutiny due to its timing and content related to the October 7 attacks.
HOW:
The suspicious devices were homemade and involved hobby fuses that could be lit.
Police separated the two groups during the protests to prevent escalation.
(UPDATED March 8, 2026 13:17 UTC)
In New York City yesterday, two men were arrested for attempting to ignite homemade devices during a protest that drew about 20 participants, while a counterprotest attracted around 125 people. The NYPD bomb squad examined two suspicious devices described as jars wrapped in black tape filled with nuts, bolts, and screws, and no charges have been filed against those arrested as of now. Meanwhile, Rama Duwaji, the wife of Mayor Mamdani, faced scrutiny for her social media activity related to the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, which coincided with the protests.