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Far-Right 'Crusader March' Sparks Clashes at NYC City Hall on 9/11 Anniversary
Police separated far-right demonstrators and counterprotesters as two men were handcuffed and officers blocked the march from reaching the memorial.
On Friday, September 11, 2026, far-right activist Jake Lang led a "Crusader March" through Lower Manhattan, carrying anti-Muslim banners and imagery. The demonstration sparked tense confrontations in the streets.
Weeks of intense opposition preceded the event, as relatives of victims delivered a petition with over 100,000 signatures to the city administration, demanding Mayor Zohran Mamdani skip the memorial.
NYPD officers formed a human shield to prevent injuries as scuffles and punches erupted between the two groups at City Hall Park. Officers made at least one arrest amid the chaotic, physical confrontations.
Appealing for unity, Michael Massaroli Jr., the son of a victim, read names at the 25th anniversary commemoration at Ground Zero and urged attendees to reject hatred, stating, "This tragedy is just that—it's a tragedy."
Nearly 8,683 anti-Muslim and anti-Arab complaints in 2025 led Council on American Islamic Relations executive director Nihad Awad to warn that bad actors exploit the anniversary to "incite discrimination," reflecting rising societal tensions.