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A fight broke out at a gathering inNew York Citythat was a tribute to the passing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

People gathered at Washington Square Park were disturbed by a group of demonstrators on Friday, leading a man wearing a SpongeBob hoodie and a keffiyeh to start fighting.

Footage of the fight showed a demonstrator trying to take down a poster of the deceased leader, who was murdered inan airstrike carried out by the Israeli military last week. 

As a response, the onlooker, who seemed to be a participant in the vigil, threw punches that soon drew a crowd of attackers.

Spectators cursed and yelled as several individuals struggled, causing an older woman to be knocked down in the commotion.

Officers from the New York City Police Department arrested the individual wearing a SpongeBob hoodie who initiated the fight, along with the person who courageously confronted him.

Both looked visibly exhausted and injured due to the unexpected aggression.

A representative from the New York City Deputy Commissioner of Public Information informed the Daily Mail that three people were arrested on charges of ‘disorderly conduct.’

The victim told the New York Post that he attempted to remove the poster during the inciting incident because Khamenei was considered a ‘terrorist.’

“He’s a terrorist who has killed American soldiers, and I think it was crazy that I was there when there was a vigil, so I just removed the sign,” he said.

I believed it was the correct action. I think someone needs to speak out for the Iranian people.

Fox Newsreported that, in addition to banners and posters of Khamenei, supporters established a memorial table with flowers and candles.

The monument was decorated with Palestinian flags and keffiyeh shawls. One witness reportedly referred to the gathering as the ‘People’s Republic of New York.’

According to CBS, supporters of Khamenei commended him for opposing Zionism, referring to him as a martyr.

Approximately 25 attendees joined the memorial service, while two dozen opposing demonstrators waved flags from Iran, the United States, and Israel beyond the barriers.

The attendees shouted “USA” and “death to the terrorist.”

An Iranian immigrant shared with the Post that individuals backing the nation’s deceased supreme leader “fail to understand the message.”

“We appreciate the fact that Trump is genuinely assisting Iranians in removing these individuals. It is commendable that this is taking place,” the anonymous woman stated.

Attacks broke out in Iranlast weekend, following a collaborative strike by Israel and the United States against the country.

President Donald Trump stated that the objective of the targeted strike was ‘eliminating’threats from the Iranian regime,’ per CBS. 

Iran carried out multiple counterattacks on American military installations inthe Middle East,murdering a minimum of six American military personnel.

Reuters stated that at least 1,332Iranian civilianshave met their end in the large-scale attacks.

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