Zoran Mamdani
New York City authorities are investigating whether an improvised explosive device thrown during a protest near Mayor Zohran Mandani’s mansion was part of an act of terror inspired by the Islamic State, the city’s police chief said Monday, The Associated Press reported.The devices, which did not explode, were thrown during tense counter-protests near Gracie Tower on Saturday, where demonstrators gathered for a “Stop Islam Takes Over New York City” rally led by far-right activist Jack Long.
Police Chief Jessica Tisch said the explosives contained nuts, bolts, screws and fuses that could cause serious injury or death if they exploded.Two people were detained on suspicion of involvement in the incident but have not yet been charged, Tisch told a news conference. As part of the investigation, authorities are working with federal prosecutors and the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force.“I can confirm this morning that this incident is being investigated as an act of terrorism inspired by ISIS,” Tisch said.Investigators have not found any links to ongoing conflicts in Iran or overseas, she added.“At this time, we do not have any information tying this investigation to what is happening overseas in Iran,” Tisch said.The sparsely attended rally attracted more counterprotesters, according to police. During the confrontation, a man allegedly threw a smoking object containing shards of metal into the crowd. The device went off on its own a few steps away from the police. The same man then dropped a second device, which did not appear to ignite.Separately, authorities said they found a suspicious device inside a car on East End Avenue between 81st and 82nd Streets on Saturday. Several nearby streets were closed and buildings were evacuated before police used a flatbed truck to remove a Honda Civic from the area. The street was later reopened.Long, who organized the rally, was earlier charged with assaulting a police officer, rioting and other crimes related to the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, but was released under a sweeping clemency order from President Donald Trump. He has since announced plans to run for U.S. Senate in Florida.Long also organized a rally in Minneapolis earlier this year in support of Trump’s immigration crackdown, but it sparked massive counter-protests that forced the event to disband.
