Violence erupted at Washington Square Park in New York City on Friday during a gathering held by supporters mourning the death of Iran’s former supreme leader, Ali Khamenei. The confrontation led to multiple arrests as counter-protesters clashed with those attending the vigil.

The park in lower Manhattan, near the site of the 9/11 attacks, has long been a hub for demonstrations. Over nearly two centuries it has hosted abolitionist rallies, Vietnam War protests, and recent social justice demonstrations. Friday’s event, however, drew controversy because participants were honoring Khamenei, who had led Iran’s clerical regime for decades before his reported death in a U.S.–Israeli military operation.

Witnesses said tensions escalated when counter-protesters confronted attendees carrying Iranian flags and chanting in support of the former leader. At least one person was seen pulling a flag from another demonstrator, triggering a physical altercation. Officers from the NYPD quickly intervened, separating the groups and making several arrests.

Video from the scene showed one man taken away in handcuffs with blood running down his forehead, while another protester was detained near the park’s iconic arch. A third masked demonstrator was pushed into a police cruiser as officers tried to restore order.

Critics of the vigil argued that honoring Khamenei in New York City was especially provocative given the city’s history with terrorism, particularly the 9/11 attacks that killed more than 3,000 people. Supporters of the gathering, however, pointed to the First Amendment, which protects the right to assemble and express political views.

Authorities did not immediately release the total number of arrests or details about possible charges. The incident added to rising tensions in the United States and abroad following the dramatic escalation surrounding Iran’s leadership and the broader geopolitical fallout.