Social media influencer Kai Cenat was arrested in New York City’s Union Square after his announcement of a massive giveaway on his Twitch stream sparked fiery riots.
Kai Cenat arrested for inciting New York riots
The incident resulted in a riot and unlawful assembly, with dozens of people arrested and several police officers injured, per CNN.
Kai Cenat’s Reach and Giveaway Announcement
Kai Cenat boasts a massive following on social media platforms, with over 4 million followers on YouTube, 5 million on Instagram, and 6.5 million on Twitch.
During a Wednesday Twitch stream, he revealed plans for a “huge giveaway” scheduled to take place on Friday, 4 August 2023, at 16:00 in Union Square Park.
The giveaway promised computers, PlayStation 5s, microphones, keyboards, webcams, gaming chairs, headphones, and gift cards to lucky participants.
The Gathering Storm
People started gathering at the park as early as 15:00, quickly leading to thousands-strong crowds obstructing vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
The overwhelming influx of attendees triggered a “Level 4” response from the NYPD, signifying the highest level of disaster response.
Chaos ensued as some individuals resorted to violence, looting items from a nearby construction site and lighting fireworks, endangering both police officers and the public.
Here are some of the videos that surfaced from the New York riots:
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Kai Cenat’s Involvement
During the escalating situation, Kai Cenat was removed by police for “safety reasons” as he had not informed the authorities about the gathering or obtained a permit. The event was subsequently declared an unlawful assembly.
The chaotic scene resulted in several police officers being injured, and multiple arrests were made as authorities worked to disperse the unruly crowd. A total of 65 people, including 30 juveniles, were arrested in connection with the incident.
Cenat charged with two counts of inciting riots
Following the mayhem, Kai Cenat has been charged with two counts of inciting a riot and unlawful assembly, among other charges.
As a lesson from this incident, NYPD Chief Jeffrey Maddrey emphasised the importance of influencers communicating with law enforcement before hosting events of such magnitude.
“We’re not against young people having a good time, we’re not against young people gathering. But it can’t be to this level where it’s dangerous. A lot of people got hurt today,” Maddrey said.