Influencer Accused of Encouraging Unrest Leads to Riot

In a shocking turn of events in New York City’s Union Square, a social media influencer has been accused of inciting a riot that resulted in numerous arrests and injuries. Kai Cenat, the influencer in question, was apprehended by law enforcement and now faces charges including unlawful assembly, with a potential prison sentence of up to five years, as reported by the Washington Post. The gathering was unplanned, and Cenat had failed to acquire a city permit for the event, according to the police.

Cenat had made an announcement during a livestream on Twitch that he planned to hold a massive giveaway in Union Square, offering free electronics such as computers, Play Station 5s, microphones, keyboards, webcams, gaming chairs, headphones, and gift cards, as stated by CNN. Cenat expressed his belief that New York deserved such a gesture. People started flocking to Union Square around 3pm on Friday, resulting in an unexpectedly large crowd. “We went from 300 kids to a couple of thousands of kids in minutes,” said Police Chief Jeffrey Maddrey. The crowd spilled out of the park, causing disruptions to traffic and pedestrians. Shops closed early, and subway trains bypassed the Union Square station. By 4pm, the police declared a Level 4 mobilization, signifying the highest response category, according to the New York Times.

During the event, which was partially streamed from inside a truck, Cenat declared, “It’s everybody for themselves. It’s a war out there.” Law enforcement arrested 65 individuals, including 30 juveniles. Multiple injuries were reported among both the crowd and police officers, with damage inflicted upon stores, food carts, and police vehicles. The chaotic situation was resolved by 6pm. Mayor Eric Adams commended the successful resolution of the incident without any loss of life, attributing the issue to parenting rather than policing. “Our children cannot be raised by social media,” he emphasized. (Read more New York City stories.)