On Saturday, February 7, an anti-Islam protest organized by far-right influencer Jake Lang took place outside New York mayor Zohran Mamdani's residence. Mamdani is the city's first Muslim mayor. A crowd gathered with Lang to protest the so-called "Islamic takeover of New York," where they were met by counterprotestors. Fights broke out amongst the crowd, eggs were thrown, and one counterprotestor allegedly threw a homemade explosive device containing
nuts, bolts, and screws, although it failed to detonate. An accomplice then handed the man a second device, which he dropped as he attempted to escape the police.
Both suspects, aged 18 and 19, were taken into police custody at the scene, and allegedly claimed affiliation with ISIS. The FBI is now investigating the incident as possible "ISIS-related terrorism." Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch says that the devices had the potential to cause severe harm or even death. Mayor Mamdani was not at home during Saturday's events.
Politics is a dangerous game, sometimes in a very literal sense. Pretty much any president or leader will likely find themselves in life-threatening situations, such as attacks and assassination attempts.
Click through this gallery to discover a long list of political figures who held onto their lives despite some close calls.