Mass Chaos Unleashed in New York’s Union Square due to Online Influencer’s Giveaway Event, Leading to Disorder and Destruction

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Manhattan’s Union Square was crammed with thousands of people on Friday afternoon for a highly-anticipated giveaway event organized by a famous livestreamer, which unfortunately took a chaotic turn. Individuals in the mob began climbing onto vehicles, tossing chairs, and initiating fights, creating a tumultuous scene that overwhelmed the police trying to maintain order.

News helicopters overhead captured images of a disorderly, closely-packed mob moving across the streets, causing traffic disruptions and climbing various structures within the park. Teenagers were spotted shouting and smashing car windows with various objects, tossing paint cans, and triggering fire extinguishers. Some daring individuals were seen riding atop moving vehicles, only to be thrown off as the vehicles accelerated. Many also climbed or pounded on city buses.

By the late afternoon, a significant police presence managed to restore relative calm in most parts of the area. However, minor clashes continued, with young people overturning barricades and hurling items like bottles and a flowerpot at law enforcement officials. Police response involved ground tackles and pursuit of instigators.

According to NYPD Chief of Department, Jeffrey Maddrey, the plan is to charge the livestreamer, Kai Cenat, with inciting a riot, unlawful assembly, and potentially other crimes. As a result of the chaos, 65 people, including 30 minors, were taken into custody.

In the midst of the disorder, multiple individuals were hurt, with at least four needing ambulance transportation. Many people left the scene with visible injuries, and a number of vehicles, including police cars, suffered damages.

Cenat, who had been promoting the giveaway on his Instagram profile, attracts millions of followers on both YouTube and Twitch. His content ranges from pranks to daily life and comedy vlogs. Despite his online popularity, his public attempt at generosity resulted in widespread unrest.

Upon arriving at the event, which had been expected to include items such as livestreaming computers and new PlayStations, attendees found a turbulent scene. Reports suggest that disruptions began even before Cenat’s appearance.

Cenat was eventually escorted out of the crowd for his safety, as shown in videos on social media and news helicopters. He was later seen in a police vehicle.

The disorder escalated to the point of a city bus, filled with detained individuals, coming under attack, requiring additional police to protect it. Numerous individuals were spotted handcuffed and seated on sidewalks.

This level of chaos and danger was unprecedented, Maddrey noted. Several officers were injured, including a sergeant who suffered a hand fracture. Nearby businesses shut their doors amidst the chaos, while police used barricades and loudspeakers to disperse the crowd and declare the gathering unlawful.

Local business manager, Carina Treile, expressed her shock at the disorder, stating that usual free giveaways were organized and peaceful. She described the situation as frightening, especially when loud bangs caused panic and a stampede within the crowd.

Despite the unrest, Maddrey clarified the police are not against young people gathering or enjoying themselves. However, he stressed that such gatherings should not escalate to dangerous levels.

The report was a collaboration by Big Big News journalists Dave Collins, Robert Bumsted, David Martin, Ayesha Mir, Brooke Lansdale, Mallika Sen, Deepti Hajela, and Karen Matthews.

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More about Union Square chaos

• Chaos at Union Square due to Livestreamer’s Giveaway
• Kai Cenat’s Profile on Twitch
• The Impact of Livestreaming and Social Media on Public Gatherings
• Managing Crowd Safety in Public Spaces
• Previous Instances of Public Disorder in New York City