Partly cloudy this evening followed by increasing clouds with showers developing after midnight. Low 37F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%..
Partly cloudy this evening followed by increasing clouds with showers developing after midnight. Low 37F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Updated: March 8, 2026 @ 7:42 pm
A man flees after throwing a device during a protest organized by far-right influencer Jake Lang outside the official residence of the New York mayor
Far-right influencer Jake Lang was demonstrating against alleged 'Islamification' and calling for an end to 'public Muslim prayer' in New York
Police said the devices were jars wrapped in tape and containing nuts, bolts and screws -- typical components of IEDs
AFP correspondents saw an activist dropping a device billowing smoke near police
On Sunday, the police bomb squad inspected a car near to the scene of the previous day's incident, an AFP correspondent saw
An improvised explosive thrown near anti-Islam protesters outside the New York mayor's residence was a viable device "that could have caused serious injury or death," police said Sunday.
Two suspicious devices were thrown by a man identified by police as Emir Balat near the protest Saturday led by a far-right influencer to oppose public Muslim prayer.Â
An AFP correspondent at the scene heard Balat shout "Allahu akbar" ("God is the greatest") during the incident, which is under investigation by counter-terrorism detectives.
On Sunday, the police bomb squad inspected a car near to the scene of the previous day's incident, an AFP correspondent saw, with officers reporting a "suspicious device" was discovered.
"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 smoke bomb. It is, in fact, an improvised explosive device (IED)," the New York Police Department (NYPD) said in a statement Sunday.
Police had said Saturday that the devices were jars wrapped in tape and containing nuts, bolts and screws -- typical components of an IED.
Two men were arrested after Saturday's incident: Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi, who reportedly handed over a device that was thrown by Balat, who dropped it near a line of police.Â
The events unfolded after the far-right influencer, Jake Lang, staged a demonstration outside Gracie Mansion, the official residence of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who is Muslim.
Lang was protesting alleged "Islamification" and calling for an end to "public Muslim prayer" in New York.Â
His protest drew around 20 people while a counter-protest drew about 125. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Saturday she did not believe Mamdani was home at the time.
On Sunday, the police bomb squad used a robot to inspect a car near to the scene of the previous day's incident, an AFP correspondent saw.
A police spokesman could not confirm if the deployment was linked to the events of Saturday.
AFP correspondents at the scene on Saturday saw a man wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt and beige cargo pants -- later identified as Balat -- being handed a device wrapped in tape and billowing smoke by another man, named by police as Kayumi.Â
Balat dropped the device near a line of police before vaulting a crash barrier.
"Witnesses reported seeing flames and smoke as it travelled through the air before it struck a barrier a few feet from police officers," police commissioner Tisch said Saturday.
Balat threw a similar device near Lang's group of protesters.
The NYPD statement said Balat and Kayumi were arrested at the scene Saturday and are in custody.
It said the NYPD is working on the investigation with the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York and the FBI through the NYPD's Joint Terrorism Task Force.
"The attempt to use an explosive device and hurt others is not only criminal, it is reprehensible and the antithesis of who we are," Mamdani said Sunday.
There was no indication the incident was related to the ongoing hostilities in Iran, Tisch said Saturday.
gw/des
Originally published on doc.afp.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.
Information from the News and our advertisers (Want to add your business to this to this feed?)
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Error! There was an error processing your request.
Sign up to receive notifications when a new Columbia Gorge News e-Edition is published.
Would you like to receive our news updates? Signup today!
Receive weekly updates on obituaries and death notices.
Oregon Capital Press presented by Columbia Gorge News
Receive updates on upcoming promotions and special sections.
Receive weekly updates on local sports news.
Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos.
Sorry, an error occurred.
Already Subscribed!
Cancel anytime
Thank you .
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.
No promotional rates found.
Secure & Encrypted
Thank you.
Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
| Rate: | |
| Begins: | |
| Transaction ID: |
A receipt was sent to your email.
Commented