On Saturday, a far-right group organized a sparsely attended anti-Muslim demonstration outside of Gracie Mansion, the home of New York City’s first Muslim mayor, Zohran Mamdani. A “Stand Against Hate” counterprotest attracted far more people, but perhaps the only reason Americans know about these events at all is because two men threw homemade bombs at the Islamophobic demonstrators. Authorities say the suspects told police officers they were inspired by the Islamic State, an Islamist terrorist group.

The message of terrorism speaks to anyone who believes that violence is a natural response to political differences, and who presumes that they may not be seen or heard otherwise. Inspiring unspeakable dread across an entire country doesn’t require much planning—just some warped ideas and a cellphone. That’s how would-be terrorists like it.