Mayor Zoran Mamdani and Manhattan Prosecutor Alvin Bragg faced criticism on Friday, branded as part of the city’s “axis of anarchy” due to their handling of a troubling incident where individuals hurled snowballs at NYPD officers.
Mamdani, in a somewhat flippant fashion, dismissed the attack as “child’s play” and even quipped that if anyone would get hit, it would be him—this, despite the fact that two officers were injured and required hospitalization during the chaotic scene.
Bragg’s office chose not to pursue assault charges against Guzman Coulibaly, a 27-year-old police sergeant and YouTuber, claiming they couldn’t determine if he had inflicted any harm on the officers who responded.
A representative from the state Republican Party condemned Mamdani and Bragg, stating, “Zoran Mamdani and Alvin Bragg are the anarchic axis of New York City,” in a statement on Friday.
They suggested that the lack of decisive action sent a direct message to potential offenders: that attacking police would come with support from what they termed the radical Democratic establishment.
Police union president Patrick Hendry criticized how Coulibaly’s case was handled, expressing disappointment after his arraignment when Coulibaly was released on supervised terms.
“Why wasn’t he charged with assault? Why was it just harassment? The officers clearly sustained injuries,” Hendry remarked, emphasizing that this act was a clear assault on those who serve.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, visibly outraged, made a vow on Friday to protect her officers against harm.
“You can trust that I will hold this department to the highest standards,” she stated during a recent promotion event, adding, “I will never tolerate attacks on police officers.”
Yet Mamdani, when questioned about possibly reducing the charges against one of the participants, downplayed the event, reiterating that it was merely a snowball fight that escalated.
The prosecutor’s office remained tight-lipped, instead referring to the court proceedings from the previous night.
Assistant District Attorney Victoria Notaro noted that one officer displayed symptoms like redness and pain but maintained they could not link those injuries directly to Coulibaly.
John Chell, a former NYPD chief who has turned commentator, defended the prosecutors, pointing out the challenges in linking the injuries to the suspect who allegedly threw the snowballs.
“The charge of obstructing government administration will still be prosecuted as a misdemeanor,” he added, responding to criticism from some right-wing commentators regarding the dropped assault charges.
“Probable cause was established, and not all charges were dismissed,” he emphasized.
In total, at least three more individuals involved in the snowball throwing have also been charged.
