A small group of far-right protesters staged an anti-Muslim rally outside Gracie Mansion, the official residence of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, on Saturday, sparking clashes with counter-protesters and leading to six arrests.
About 20 demonstrators believed to be linked to right-wing activist Jake Lang gathered near the residence. A much larger group of around 120 counter-protesters assembled nearby to oppose the rally. According to New York Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch, tensions escalated when one of the anti-Muslim protesters used pepper spray on members of the opposing crowd.
Police stepped in as the situation grew increasingly tense. Several people were arrested for disorderly conduct and blocking traffic, including two individuals from the counter-protest group.
City officials said the mayor and his wife were unharmed during the incident. Mayoral spokesperson Joe Calvello strongly condemned the protest, describing Jake Lang as “a vile white supremacist.”
Lang was arrested previously for participating in the infamous January 6, 2021, Capitol riots. President Donald Trump later pardoned him.
In recent years, the activist has organized several controversial protests widely criticized as Islamophobic. During a demonstration in Michigan last November, he attempted to burn a copy of the Quran. Lang has also promoted the widely debunked and controversial “Great Replacement” conspiracy theory.
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6 arrested as anti-Muslim protest outside Zohran Mamdani’s residence sparks clashes
