Clashes Erupt in Washington Square Park Between Pro- and Anti-Khamenei Protesters

A tense confrontation unfolded at Washington Square Park on Friday, March 5, 2026, resulting in multiple arrests as supporters of the Iranian regime clashed with demonstrators opposing the late Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei, according to police reports.

Pro-Khamenei Shrine and Demonstrations

Approximately 50 pro-Khamenei activists gathered beneath the Washington Square Arch, erecting a shrine dedicated to the former supreme leader of Iran. The group displayed Iranian flags and set up tables featuring images of Khamenei alongside revolutionary figures including Malcolm X, Patrice Lumumba, and George Floyd, symbolizing a perceived alignment with movements for racial justice.

“People cannot change regimes by assassination,” stated Shahid Comrade, a 70-year-old Brooklyn resident, expressing concern that the conflict could escalate into a wider global conflict. “This war only makes the world unsafe. This is a step towards World War Three.”

Counter-Protests and Confrontations

An equal number of anti-Khamenei protesters assembled on the north side of the arch, many carrying Israeli and U.S. Flags. Chants of “Khamenei’s dead! Khamenei’s dead!” reverberated through the park.

Shan Singh, a 35-year-old resident of Queens, criticized the pro-Khamenei demonstration, stating, “They hold this memorial under Washington’s arch. It is a spit in the face. Iran is a theocratic state and we’re for the separation of church and state. Islam is not compatible with the U.S.”

Arrests and Incidents

The New York Police Department has not yet released the exact number of arrests or the specific charges filed. Witnesses reported an incident where an anti-Khamenei protester attempted to seize a sign from the pro-Khamenei group and was subsequently attacked before being taken into police custody.

The demonstration similarly drew the attention of Jake Lang, a pardoned January 6th rioter and far-right influencer, who briefly appeared and engaged in a lewd act directed at the pro-Iranian regime protesters.

Context: Khamenei’s Death and Regional Conflict

The protests occurred following the assassination of Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei in an Israeli airstrike on February 28, 2026, which initiated a joint Israeli and U.S. Operation aimed at destabilizing the Iranian government. Former President Trump has since called for the “unconditional surrender” of Iran and the installation of “acceptable” leaders to conclude the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.