New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani is under fire from lawmakers and police unions following a tumultuous snowball fight at Washington Square Park that turned aggressive against the NYPD. During a significant blizzard, some individuals began hurling snow and ice at officers.
The situation escalated on Monday afternoon when crowds initially gathered for what seemed like a fun snowball fight. However, as police attended to reports of chaos, they found themselves targeted, prompting them to retreat to their vehicles. Video footage showed people throwing sizable snow chunks, with one individual even tossing ice directly at an officer.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch criticized the actions as “shameful” and “criminal.” While there were no arrests made, she stated that detectives are probing the incident.
Former Governor Andrew Cuomo and ex-Mayor Eric Adams, both from the Democratic Party, accused Mamdani of creating an atmosphere that disrespects law enforcement, pointing to his past remarks against police.
Cuomo expressed his disapproval on social media, emphasizing that the mayor’s rhetoric creates consequences and contributes to a rising disrespect for law enforcement. He stated, “Real leaders understand that. This mayor doesn’t.”
Adams echoed this sentiment, asserting that such behavior should provoke outrage among New Yorkers. He mentioned, “Seeing our police officers in the midst of a blizzard, being attacked, is just abhorrent. Politicians who criticize the police are setting a poor example.”
Republican Representative Nicole Malliotakis from Staten Island condemned the incident, insisting that both the mayor and city officials should denounce the attack on the NYPD. “We need accountability,” she stated.
Claudia Tenney, another Republican representative, accused Mamdani’s anti-police stance as a factor in the incident, asserting, “You can thank Mamdani for this situation.”
Police unions are now calling for accountability, with the Police Benevolent Association labeling the attack “unacceptable” and demanding those responsible face charges for assaulting officers.
Scott Munro, chairman of the Detectives Endowment Association, described the attack as “deliberate and dangerous,” urging the mayor and the Manhattan District Attorney to ensure prosecutions occur. He insisted, “There’s no free pass for this.”
As of now, Mamdani’s office has not responded to requests for comments regarding the situation.
