- Chaos Erupts in NYC as YouTuber’s PlayStation 5 Giveaway Turns Violent
- Thousands Gather in Union Square Park, Influencer Detained
- Police Respond with Tear Gas and Deployment of Over 1,000 Officers
Friday in the center of New York City, a YouTuber’s announcement of a video game console giveaway sparked chaos and a significant police response.
Approximately 2,000 individuals gathered in Union Square Park in anticipation of receiving a complimentary PlayStation 5 from the popular Twitch streamer Kai Cenat.
The police reported that the influencer was among those detained and could be charged with inciting a disturbance.
People were observed throwing fireworks, bottles, and barricades.
People began to converge at approximately 13:00 local time (17:00 GMT) after Mr. Cenat announced on social media – where he has over 10 million followers and subscribers – that he would be giving away 300 PlayStations.
By 15:00, hundreds had amassed on the streets encircling one of the busiest train stations in New York City.
They scaled vehicles and the entrance roof of the train station and hurled bottles at responding police officers.
The New York Police Department proclaimed a “level four” mobilization, which resulted in the deployment of approximately 1,000 officers to the scene.
During a live stream from a vehicle near Union Square as the unrest unfolded, Mr. Cenat stated, “They’re throwing tear gas out there.”
“We will not do anything until it is secure. Everyone for himself, because there’s a war going on out there, brother.”
Mr. Cenat was brought into custody at approximately 17:00. Approximately one hour later, the throng dispersed.
CBS stated that Mr. Cenat lacked clearance for the event, a partnership with Bronx YouTuber Fanum.
Department Chief of the NYPD, Jeffrey Maddrey, stated, “We have encountered similar situations before, but never to this degree of danger, where young people refused to obey our commands.”
He added, “There were individuals carrying spades, axes, and other construction equipment.
Additionally, individuals were lighting off pyrotechnics. They were hurling them at police officers and each other.
Mr. Cenat made headlines in March when he surpassed 300,000 Twitch subscribers, breaking the previous record.
Twitch is a live streaming platform where users typically play video games while conversing with their audience.
Mr. Cenat launched a 30-day, round-the-clock campaign to increase his subscriber base, which included chatting, gaming, and interviewing visitors, as well as sleeping on camera.
