NEW YORK: US police arrested six people after clashes broke out over the weekend during a protest outside the official residence of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, authorities said.
The incident occurred near Gracie Mansion, the mayor’s residence in Manhattan, where a small group of demonstrators gathered while a much larger group of counter-protesters assembled nearby, according to New York Police Department officials.
Tensions escalated when one protester allegedly used pepper spray during the confrontation, prompting police intervention and several arrests for disorderly conduct and blocking traffic.
Authorities said two individuals were also taken into custody after allegedly throwing devices during the clashes. Police later determined that at least one of the objects was an improvised explosive device capable of causing serious injury or death, though it failed to detonate fully.
Investigators, including the NYPD bomb squad and federal authorities, are examining the devices and other evidence to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Officials confirmed that no injuries were reported during the confrontation.
Mayor Mamdani and his wife, Rama Duwaji, were safe following the incident, and the mayor remained in contact with police as authorities responded to the situation.
