An announcement by a YouTuber about a giveaway of video game consoles led to a chaotic scene and a significant police presence in New York City on Friday. Approximately 2,000 people gathered at Union Square Park, eagerly anticipating the chance to receive free PlayStation 5 devices from the well-known Twitch streamer, Kai Cenat.
As the situation escalated, the police detained several individuals, including the influencer, and they may face charges of inciting a riot. The crowd's excitement turned into unrest, with people throwing fireworks and bottles and even toppling barricades in the park.
The event quickly spiraled out of control, causing major disruptions in the heart of the city and necessitating a substantial response from law enforcement to restore order and ensure public safety.
A social media announcement by YouTuber Kai Cenat about a giveaway of 300 PlayStations led to chaos in New York City. Within two hours of the post, hundreds of people gathered at Union Square Park, causing disruptions and violence. The crowd engaged in aggressive actions, including climbing on cars and the train station roof, and throwing bottles at the police.
The situation prompted the New York Police Department to declare a "level four" mobilization, deploying around 1,000 officers to control the scene. Kai Cenat livestreamed from a vehicle during the disorder, expressing concern about tear gas being used by law enforcement.
Eventually, police took Kai Cenat into custody, and it took an additional hour to disperse the crowd. The event reportedly lacked a proper permit and was believed to be a collaboration with another YouTube star from the Bronx.
The incident underscores the potential consequences of social media-driven gatherings and the importance of proper planning and permits for public events.
According to NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey, the recent incident involving the chaotic gathering in New York City was unprecedented in terms of its dangerousness.
Despite police commands, the young people present at the scene did not comply. Some were even seen carrying tools from the construction trade, such as shovels and axes, while others ignited fireworks and directed them towards both the police and each other.
The individual at the center of the event, Kai Cenat, previously made headlines in March when he broke the record for attracting the highest number of Twitch subscribers, reaching 300,000.
Twitch is a popular livestreaming platform where users typically play video games while engaging with viewers through chat.
In his bid to break the subscriber record, Cenat embarked on a 30-day round-the-clock drive, during which he engaged in various activities, including chatting, gaming, interviewing guests, and even sleeping, all broadcasted live on camera.
This recent incident highlights the potential influence and impact of social media influencers on their followers and the importance of responsible behavior on such platforms.