By Tiffany Williams –
New York, NY — Things got tense in Washington Square Park on Monday as crowds gathered for a large snowball fight following the city’s recent blizzard. The event, organized through social media, drew participants from across Manhattan.
Videos from the park appear to show snowballs being deliberately thrown at NYPD officers walking through the area. Police said some officers sustained cuts on their faces during the incident. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said detectives are reviewing the videos and described the behavior as “disgraceful” and “criminal.” Authorities later released photos of two individuals they are seeking in connection with the incident, aiming to identify others who may have been involved.
Mayor Mamdani addressed the situation on X, noting, “I’ve seen the videos of kids throwing snowballs at NYPD officers in Washington Square Park. Officers, like all city workers, have been out in a historic blizzard, keeping New Yorkers safe and cars moving. Treat them with respect. If anyone’s catching a snowball, it’s me.” At a press conference Tuesday, he reiterated that city workers deserve respect and added, “The only person in our city’s workforce who deserves to be treated with a snowball is me,” referencing his remarks to schoolchildren upset about classes resuming Tuesday. Mamdani said it appeared that children were participating in the fight, though the full makeup of the crowd is unclear.
The NYC Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association condemned the actions as “unacceptable and outrageous” and criticized the mayor’s response as “a failure of leadership.” The incident highlights tensions in the city as residents cope with the aftermath of the blizzard while authorities continue to enforce public safety.