From the Liveblog of
Sunday, March 8, 2026
2 arrested for allegedly throwing ‘ignited’ devices at anti-Muslim protest in NYC
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleLuke Tress is The Times of Israel's New York correspondent.
Two men have been arrested for allegedly throwing homemade bomb-like incendiary devices at anti-Muslim protesters in New York City.
A group of around 20 anti-Muslim protesters gathered near Gracie Mansion, the mayor’s residence, this afternoon. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is Muslim.
The protest called, “Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City,” was led by far-right provocateur Jake Lang, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch says at a briefing.
Around 125 counter-protesters gathered nearby for a demonstration called “Run the Nazis out of New York City.”
BREAKING: NYPD ID'S both suspects after attempted bomb attack on outside Gracie Mansion.
Device is Jar wrapped in black tape with NUTS BOLT AND SCREWES and fuse inside.
Video shows second suspect pass bomb along to another,
second suspect being arrested by the NYPD outside… pic.twitter.com/7AITGeggwc— Oliya Scootercaster ???? (@ScooterCasterNY) March 7, 2026
Tensions escalated between the two groups, and one of the anti-Muslim protesters used pepper spray against one of the counter-protesters and was arrested, Tisch says.
Shortly after, a suspect threw an “ignited device” toward the anti-Muslim protesters that gave off flames and smoke as it hurtled through the air, Tisch says.
The device struck a barrier and went out, a few feet from police.
The assailant fled on foot, obtained a second incendiary device from another suspect, lit the device, started running and dropped the device, Tisch says.
Video shows one of the suspects shouting “allahu akbar” while being arrested.
WATCH: Suspect seen lighting Home made smoke bomb after Molotov cocktail thrown at Anti-Muslim protest as suspect shouts Allahu Akbar while getting arrested #nyc Gracie Mansion
Videos by @edquinnphoto, @ScooterCasterNY and @yyeeaahhhboiii2 Desk@freedomnews.tv to license pic.twitter.com/4ue4emavS1
— Oliya Scootercaster ???? (@ScooterCasterNY) March 7, 2026
Video also shows the counter-protesters chasing a man down a street and beating him.
NYC: "Zionist!" crowds chase and shout at a man as he gets kicked on the ground outside Gracie Mansion during anti Islam protest pic.twitter.com/rwN9HK6i4K
— Oliya Scootercaster ???? (@ScooterCasterNY) March 7, 2026
Tisch describes the devices as jars a “bit smaller than a football,” wrapped in black tape, filled with nuts and bolts, and with a fuse.
Tisch says it’s unclear if the devices were functional explosives or hoaxes.
The suspects are identified as Emir Balat, 18, and Ibrahim Nikk, 19. Balat allegedly threw the devices and Nikk gave him one of them.
The information is preliminary and an investigation is ongoing.
The Times of Israel Community.