A NYPD Bomb Squad officer investigates suspicious packages in Manhattan, New York, August 16, 2019. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton
(New York, NY) – Multiple arrests have now been made after someone threw an improvised explosive device, or bomb, outside Gracie Mansion in New York City. This happened on Saturday during dueling protests outside of the mayor’s official residence, and although no bombs exploded, reports say the devices could have done serious bodily harm to the 100 or so people gathered there in Yorkville, Manhattan.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani was inside Gracie Mansion with his wife Rama Duwaji, thankfully they did not suffer any injuries during the incident. Now, two men have been arrested for allegedly throwing these IEDs or improvised explosive devices. Reports indicate that 19-year-old Ibraham Kayumi and 18-year-old Emir Balat now face charges after being accused of making and throwing the bombs on Saturday. The New York Post says the pair utilized Triacetone Triperoxide, or TATP, and it’s considered a highly volatile chemical that can be triggered by almost anything — impact, friction, heat, etc. It’s highly combustible and prone to going off even just because it was dropped or mishandled. And it’s what almost led to the killing or maiming of dozens in the heart of New York City.
It was outside Gracie Mansion where a protest had been organized by Jake Lang, loosely titled “Stop the Muslim Takeover of New York City.” News reports describe it as sparsely attended with as many as 20 people present. But at the same time, a counter protest unfolded, which people have characterized as a “Run the Nazis out of New York City” / “Stand Against Hate” event. The counter protest was seemingly much more well-attended, with around 125 people participating. This is also in the background of the ongoing war in Iran, which led to a pro-Ayatollah Khomeini rally at Friday, in which “demonstrators from both sides” clashed and got into physical skirmishes.
This most recent clash turned scary and almost extremely violent when the two teens — Kayumi and Balat — allegedly hurdled the IEDs. They were made with glass jars and contained nails, nuts, and bolts — the kind of shrapnel that causes significant damaged when paired with an explosive such as TATP. The chemical compound has been linked to deadly terrorist attacks in New Delhi, India, Barcelona, Spain, Manchester, England, Brussels, Belgium, and the Paris suburb of Saint-Denis in France. Furthermore, reports indicate the teen suspects previously trained with ISIS overseas.
For many on the political left, the focus has remained on Lang and his “anti-Islam” event. Even former Governor Andrew Cuomo was quick to make Lang and his positions the focus of his Sunday show “The Pulse of the People.”
And Mayor Zohran Mamdani issued a statement Sunday via his X account admonishing Lang.
Yesterday, white supremacist Jake Lang organized a protest outside Gracie Mansion rooted in bigotry and racism. Such hate has no place in New York City. It is an affront to our city’s values and the unity that defines who we are.
What followed was even more disturbing. Violence…
— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) March 8, 2026
Similarly, Mahattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal jumped to conclusions and immediately blamed Lang as the alleged thrower of the bomb. Though that proved to be untrue, Hoylman-Sigal defended himself by arguing Lang had in fact left a “far right” “Christian nationalist” event, adding his comments “evolved” over time. Many on social media noted the ridiculousness of trying to blame Lang when he organized a peaceful event — aimed at opposing violent, radical Islam — only to be interrupted and stopped by allegedly violent, radical, islam.
Regardless of the political tendency for fools to rush in, the sobering fact remains from this weekend that a shrapnel bomb or bombs almost did serious damage this weekend. Just feet away from where the mayor stood, two alleged Muslim radicals stand accused of attempting terrorism. Mayor Mamdani’s response did admit what followed a “white supremacist” protest was “even more disturbing,” — but does that really suffice in the face of such a reality?
Mamdani’s own wife faces controversy for liking social media posts in the wake of the October 7th terrorist attacks in Israel that celebrated the violent event. He has been photographed with accused Muslim clerics who are linked to instances of violence. And the general feeling from many is that Islam has a problem when it comes to the tendency for violent jihadists to actually carry out their sick fantasies. Where we go from here is the question — and the need for stronger leadership is apparent.
