Manhattan’s Union Square was overwhelmed by a chaotic scene on Friday afternoon when a giveaway event organized by popular livestreamer Kai Cenat turned violent. Thousands of attendees engaged in disruptive behavior, including throwing chairs, climbing on vehicles, and engaging in fights, leaving the police struggling to restore order.
Aerial TV footage showed the crowd surging through the streets, climbing park structures, and obstructing traffic. Some individuals threw objects at cars, set off fire extinguishers, and even climbed on city buses. Despite increased police presence, smaller disputes continued to break out throughout the area.
NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey stated plans to charge Cenat with multiple counts, including inciting a riot and unlawful assembly. The event resulted in 65 arrests, including 30 juveniles.
Several individuals were injured, with at least four being transported away in ambulances. Maddrey also noted reports of motorists being trapped as individuals climbed on their vehicles and multiple police vehicles being damaged.
Cenat, who has a large following on Twitch and YouTube, had promoted a 4 p.m. giveaway at the park on his Instagram feed. However, by 3 p.m., the crowd had grown and started to become unruly. Some attendees claimed they had come in the hopes of receiving a computer for livestreaming or a new PlayStation.
Eventually, Cenat and his entourage left their vehicle and entered the park, where the crowd surrounded them. Maddrey confirmed that at some point during the afternoon, Cenat was removed for safety reasons.
The chaotic events of the day underscore the significant safety concerns that can arise from large public gatherings, particularly when not adequately planned or controlled.