Violence erupted Friday evening at Washington Square Park in Manhattan during a vigil organized for Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after a counter-protester tore down a photo of the cleric, leading to a confrontation that left the man bloodied and several people taken into custody.

The incident occurred during a small gathering where roughly 25 people had assembled to commemorate Khamenei, who was killed last Saturday during a joint U.S.–Israeli military strike known as “Operation Fury.”

The operation targeted Iranian leadership and infrastructure, with Israeli missiles striking Khamenei’s compound.

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Police officers from the New York Police Department were present at the park attempting to keep separate two opposing groups gathered at the site.

According to witnesses and video footage captured by FreedomNTV, tensions escalated when a counter-protester approached the vigil and removed a photo of Khamenei.

The man, identified as Rami Even-Esh, shouted “Take this down!” as he pulled the image from the display set up by mourners. Moments later, several people from the vigil crowd confronted him.

Video from the scene shows Even-Esh being knocked to the ground by individuals in the group.

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Some participants, including several wearing keffiyehs, were seen kicking him while he lay on the pavement.

Police officers quickly moved in to break up the confrontation.

Officers pulled Even-Esh away from the crowd and placed him in handcuffs as blood ran from the top of his nose.

NYC: Bloody fight breaks out after counter protester attempts to remove a poster from Ayatollah Khamenei VIGIL in NYC Park

Multiple Arrests and a man left bleeding. pic.twitter.com/0rotZsPgCz

— Oliya Scootercaster (@ScooterCasterNY) March 6, 2026

As officers escorted him away, Even-Esh explained why he had approached the vigil and removed the image of the Iranian leader.

“He’s a terrorist who’s killed American soldiers and I think it was insane that I was right there and there was a vigil so I just took the sign down. I felt that was the right thing to do,” the victim told The Post as cops led him away.

“I feel like someone should show up for the Iranian people.”

Authorities confirmed that multiple people were taken into custody during the demonstration, though police did not immediately release details about the charges or the identities of those detained.

The confrontation unfolded as counter-protesters gathered nearby in opposition to the vigil. Roughly two dozen people assembled to challenge the event, with some chanting slogans including “USA” and “death to the terrorist.”

Several of the counter-protesters said they were of Iranian descent or were attending the gathering in support of Israel.

Their chants often drowned out the smaller group of mourners assembled to honor Khamenei.

Those attending the vigil distributed printed materials praising the Iranian leader and claiming he defended the Iranian people.

The handout also credited him with opposing Israel and supporting progressive causes.

The display at the vigil included flowers arranged on a table covered with a black and red keffiyeh.

An Iranian flag was visible nearby, along with another flag displaying Khamenei’s face.

Some demonstrators critical of the vigil said the gathering ignored the experience of many Iranians living under the government in Tehran.

An Iranian woman who said she had immigrated to the United States spoke out against the vigil and those participating in it.

“They just don’t get the message,” she told The Post.

“These are mad dogs. These mad dogs that cannot be released in the world,” she said of the Iranian regime.

“We like the fact that Trump is actually helping Iranians to eliminate these people. We appreciated it. It is respectful that this is happening.”

Khamenei’s death occurred during the joint U.S.–Israeli military operation carried out last weekend.

Israeli missiles launched from high altitude struck the compound where he was located.

The operation targeted senior leadership within Iran, and the strikes have reportedly killed several Iranian officials.

Iran has responded with retaliatory actions over the past week as the conflict continues to escalate.

According to reports, six U.S. service members have been killed during the ongoing hostilities.

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