Mayor Zohran Mamdani plays down NYPD snowball attack event

Mayor Minimizes Snowball Incident Involving NYPD

New York City’s Mayor, Zoran Mamdani, has once again played down an incident where several NYPD officers were hit with snowballs during a recent snowstorm. Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Mamdani was asked about this event yet again. He first acknowledged the police’s crucial role in handling the snowstorm but referred to the situation through a video circulating online as an “out of control” snowball fight. While he mentioned that police and city officials “deserve respect,” he stopped short of condemning the incident further.

This isn’t the first time Mamdani has described the event in such light terms. Just a day before, he had framed the chaos as merely “kids having a snowball fight.” In his latest comments, he reiterated that he did not believe those involved should face assault charges, stating, “I have said what I saw was a snowball fight and it should be dealt with accordingly. It got out of hand, but that’s what it was.”

While the mayor has expressed his opposition to charging the individuals involved, the NYPD has released a photo of a suspect they deem “wanted for assault on a police officer.” Following the video’s viral spread, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch described the behavior shown as both “shameful and criminal,” noting that detectives are looking into the matter.

The snowball incidents occurred when officers were responding to reports of a disruptive crowd in Washington Square Park. According to the NYPD, officers were struck by both snow and ice multiple times, resulting in injuries to their faces, necks, and heads.

To date, there have been no arrests related to these snowball attacks, officials confirmed.

Criticism of Mayor’s Response

Patrick Hendry, president of the New York City Police Benevolent Association, condemned Mamdani’s comments as a “total failure of leadership.” He noted, “This was more than just a ‘snowball fight.’ This was an assault by an adult throwing ice and rock blocks that sent two police officers to the hospital with head and facial injuries.” Hendry argued that the mayor’s disregard for the officers’ injuries sends an alarming message to both police officers and potential assailants.

The Sergeants’ Benevolent Association also expressed concern, stating that dismissing the incident as harmless is misguided. SBA President Vincent Vallelong emphasized that targeting uniformed officers during their duties is a serious assault. He criticized the actions of those involved, many of whom are believed to be New York University students, and called their behavior reckless and unlawful. Vallelong declared that those responsible for throwing snow and ice will face serious consequences, reinforcing the need for clear boundaries.