Lander, Who Supports Palestinian Causes, Heckled With Antisemitic Slurs At NYC Protest

NEW YORK (AP) — Democratic congressional candidate Brad Lander was heckled with antisemitic slurs Saturday while joining protesters outside Madison Square Garden who were demonstrating against a Hindu nationalist leader speaking at the arena.

Lander, a former New York City comptroller and the Democratic nominee for the 10th Congressional District, approached the demonstration opposing Mohan Bhagwat, chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, or RSS, an influential Hindu nationalist organization in India.

NOW: Some protesters Confront Brad Lander during MSG Indian protest, while others attempt to calm down the situation and welcome him to the event.

Protesters filled the Street Outside Madison Square Garden as Indian RSS Chief Speaks in NYC

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But some protesters rejected Lander’s presence, with one demonstrator shouting an antisemitic slur at him and telling him to leave. Video from the scene showed Lander confronting the protester and responding, “Bring it on.” Other protesters also told him to leave, objecting to his identification as a Zionist.

The confrontation came as thousands of protesters gathered outside the arena to oppose Bhagwat’s appearance. Bhagwat was addressing about 5,000 members of Indian American groups at an event billed as the “Universal Oneness Celebration.”

Lander is Jewish and has described himself as a “liberal Zionist,” although he has also been critical of Israel.

The protesters were demonstrating against the RSS and its record on religious minorities. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has said the organization has been involved in acts of violence and intolerance against minority groups. The RSS disputes such accusations and describes itself as a Hindu-centered cultural and civilizational movement.

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani had opposed Bhagwat’s appearance earlier in the week, describing the RSS ideology as exclusionary while acknowledging that the city did not have the authority to cancel a private event.

Lander did not immediately respond to a request for comment, according to The New York Post.