Police say wannabe ISIS killers tried to unleash the infamous “Mother of Satan” explosive used in terror attacks worldwide — yet the city’s far-left Democratic mayor still refuses to call the suspects terrorists.
Instead, Mamdani opened Sunday’s press conference by condemning the demonstration the devices were thrown toward, describing it as “a vile protest rooted in white supremacy.” It had been organized by conservative influencer Jake Lang and was titled “Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City.”
“I’m the first Muslim mayor of our city. Anti-Muslim bigotry is nothing new to me,” Mamdani said.
While criticizing the protest, Mamdani also stressed that he supports the right to such demonstrations.
“Ours is a free society where the right to peaceful protest is sacred,” Mamdani said. “It does not belong only to those we agree with. It belongs to everyone.”
He added that many counter-protesters responded peacefully.
“Many of the counter-protesters met this display of bigotry peacefully, with a vision of a city that is welcoming to all,” he said.
Mamdani then addressed the two men police say attempted the attack.
“Two men, Amir Balat and Ibrahim Qayyumi, traveled from Pennsylvania and attempted to bring violence to New York City,” Mamdani said. “They are suspected of coming here to commit an act of terrorism.”
Video released by police shows the two men throwing improvised explosive devices toward the protest crowd.
The attack is now being investigated as “an act of inspired ISIS terrorism,” according to NYPD Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
Investigators said one of the devices contained TATP, a highly volatile explosive often referred to as “the Mother of Satan” because of its instability and destructive power.
“TATP is a dangerous and highly volatile explosive that has been used in IED attacks around the world,” Tisch said. “Our bomb squad rendered both devices safe.”
Officials said the devices had the potential to cause serious injury or death.
Tisch also revealed that a third suspicious device discovered inside a vehicle on Sunday ultimately tested negative for explosive material, though the discovery prompted another police response.
Following the incident, the NYPD is increasing counterterrorism resources across the city.
The department is deploying additional heavy weapons teams, K-9 units, and aviation resources, Tisch said, noting the city has remained on heightened alert since the “start of hostilities in Iran.”
She also warned the public not to underestimate how serious the situation could have been.
“The last time an IED was deployed targeting people in New York City was in 2017 when Akayed Ullah detonated a device in a Times Square subway station,” Tisch said. The blast injured only Ullah himself.
“Once again we were fortunate that the devices used this weekend did not cause the kind of harm that they were certainly capable of causing,” she added. “But luck is never a strategy.”
As the explosives were lit, officers surged toward the unfolding danger.
“When those devices were ignited in the middle of a crowded protest, officers did not step back; they stepped forward,” Tisch said.
Both suspects were taken into custody immediately after the devices were thrown.
“Thanks to the swift and decisive actions of NYPD officers at the scene, both men were immediately taken into custody and the devices they brought taken off our streets,” Mamdani said.
Authorities say additional details about the suspects and the devices are expected to be released in a formal criminal complaint.
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