Zohran Mamdani said Tuesday that he does not believe criminal charges are warranted after a crowd surrounded New York City Police Department officers and pelted them with snowballs in Washington Square Park, sending multiple officers to the hospital with minor injuries.
Speaking to reporters a day after the incident, Mamdani characterized the confrontation as “a snowball fight” and said he disagreed with calls to prosecute those involved.
“I think there were two officers who were facing lacerations on their face,” Mamdani said. When asked whether he would support charges against those who threw snowballs, he replied, “Look, I’ve seen the videos of this snowball fight. I think that it was a snowball fight.”
A gang of youths harass the NYPD and pelt them with snow.
— Amiri King (@AmiriKing) February 24, 2026
If you look at the crowd you can tell that none of them were alive on 9/11.
They don’t know what the NYPD is willing to sacrifice for the citizens of New York.
Side note: You throw a snowball at police, they should be… pic.twitter.com/jYC33M81K3
Videos circulating online show officers attempting to move through a dense crowd as individuals threw snowballs and, in some instances, dumped snow on the officers’ heads. In one clip, officers are seen pushing through the crowd and forcing at least two individuals to the ground. Another video appears to show officers retreating as snowballs continued to be thrown. No arrests have been announced.
Mamdani’s comments contrast with those of Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who called the behavior “disgraceful” and “criminal.”
“The NYPD is aware of certain videos taken earlier today in Washington Square Park showing individuals attacking cops,” Tisch said in a statement. “I want to be very clear: The behavior depicted is disgraceful, and it is criminal. Our detectives are investigating this matter.”
Kathy Hochul also condemned the incident, saying, “Our NYPD officers put themselves on the line to protect us every day. It is never acceptable to throw anything at a police officer, full stop.”
Former Mayor Eric Adams and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, both of whom ran against Mamdani in 2024, urged the mayor to more forcefully denounce the crowd’s actions. Cuomo said “Words have consequences,” arguing that rhetoric toward law enforcement can contribute to public disrespect.
Mamdani referred to those involved as “kids” and, when pressed on whether they were minors or adults, said the footage he viewed appeared to show young people engaged in a snowball fight.
At the same time, the mayor emphasized that police officers and other city workers deserve respect. “Officers have been on the front line of helping us respond to this blizzard. They have been keeping New Yorkers safe … they and our entire city workforce, of course, deserve to be treated with respect,” Mamdani said.
He added a note of levity, saying, “The only person in our city’s workforce who deserves to be treated with a snowball is me,” referencing remarks he made Monday suggesting students upset about a switch to remote classes during the snowstorm could throw snowballs at him instead.
The incident remains under investigation as city leaders continue to debate whether the confrontation constituted criminal conduct or unruly winter antics.
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