"Police are investigating the incident that started late Saturday morning when someone from the anti-Islam protest associated with conservative influencer Jake Lang shot pepper spray into a counterprotesting group near the mayoral residence Gracie Mansion, Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. Tensions continued to heighten, she said, when someone in the counterprotest lit and threw a device she described as smaller than a football into the protesting crowd of about 20 people."
"The devices, which Tisch said were smaller than a football, were wrapped in black tape with nuts, bolts, and screws, as well as a hobby fuse that could be lit. She said it was unclear if they were functioning devices or a hoax. All three people have been arrested, and an investigation is underway, Tisch said."
"Lang was previously charged with assaulting an officer with a baseball bat, civil disorder and other crimes before receiving clemency as part of Donald Trump's sweeping act of clemency for January 6 defendants last year. Lang recently announced that he is running for US Senate in Florida."
A confrontation occurred Saturday near Gracie Mansion between an anti-Islam protest organized by conservative influencer Jake Lang and counterprotesters. Someone from Lang's group sprayed pepper spray into the counterprotesting crowd of approximately 125 people. In response, a counterprotester lit and threw a device smaller than a football containing nuts, bolts, screws, and a hobby fuse into the crowd of about 20 anti-Islam protesters. The device struck a barrier and extinguished itself near police officers. A second device was subsequently dropped. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated it remained unclear whether the devices were functional or hoaxes. Three people were arrested, and no injuries were reported. Mayor Zohran Mamdani was not in the residence at the time.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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