A massive gathering took place in Manhattan’s Union Square Park on Friday, attracting thousands of people. However, what initially seemed like an exciting event quickly turned chaotic, requiring the intervention of numerous police officers.
The primary attraction for the crowd was the promise of free video game consoles, which would be distributed by a popular social media streamer. Unfortunately, as the evening unfolded, dozens of individuals, including the livestreamer and event organizer Kai Carlo Cenat III, were arrested on charges of inciting a riot.
Now, let’s delve into the details of what occurred at Union Square Park.
Kai Carlo Cenat III and another streamer named Fanum had informed their millions of followers that they would be giving away PlayStation 5 consoles at Union Square Park on Friday at 4 p.m. However, the police clarified that the streamers had failed to obtain the necessary permit for such a massive gathering.
By 3 p.m., a large number of enthusiastic youths had already gathered at the park. However, the situation quickly escalated as the crowd rapidly grew and spilled onto the surrounding streets, causing disruptions to both pedestrians and drivers.
While the majority of attendees remained peaceful, a faction became unruly, particularly after the scheduled giveaway time had passed. Around 4 p.m., individuals within the crowd began hurling objects, including building materials, rocks, and bottles, at each other. Additionally, fireworks were set off, adding to the chaotic atmosphere.
Acts of vandalism were also witnessed, as some individuals stormed a nearby construction site, while others confronted police officers attempting to make arrests. Images from the scene depict people climbing atop cars, bringing traffic to a standstill, and banging on vehicles. Moreover, various individuals were seen looting a CVS store, sprinting inside to grab water and food for others.
As the police attempted to disperse the crowd along Park Avenue, instances of car, storefront, and food cart vandalism occurred.
The disorderly gathering finally came to an end at approximately 6 p.m. New York City Mayor Eric Adams speculated that “outside agitators” may have aimed to exacerbate the situation.
In total, 65 individuals were arrested, with nearly half of them being juveniles.
Now, let’s shift our focus to Kai Cenat.
Kai Cenat, a 21-year-old YouTube creator and Twitch streamer from New York City, is renowned for his lively videos and boisterous personality. With a predominantly youthful fanbase, he ranks among the most-watched streamers on Twitch. His content includes reactions to songs and trailers, parodies, internet challenges, and video game streams.
Rolling Stone even recognized him as one of the twenty most influential creators of 2023.
In response to the events at Union Square Park, Kai Cenat posted a video entitled “Kai Cenat Shuts Down New York City.” Filmed from the safety of a vehicle, he acknowledged the large crowd and urged everyone to prioritize their safety.
Regarding legal consequences, Kai Cenat has been charged with first-degree rioting, a felony, as well as inciting a riot and unlawful assembly, both misdemeanors. He was subsequently released from police custody, awaiting a court appearance.
Reporting by Hurubie Meko contributed to this information.
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