Chaos in New York after an influencer announced he was donating video game consoles. Thousands of people brawled and the online star was detained

Kai Cenat, a 21-year-old online influencer, was detained by New York police after announcing he would give fans video consoles, and thousands of people gathered brawled and caused chaos.

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Kai Cenat, who has millions of followers on Twitch and YouTube, said he would hold a “giveaway” at 4 p.m. on Friday, where he would give away computers or video consoles for free. Thousands of people gathered in Union Square, and at one point they began to scuffle and destroy surrounding cars.

Crowds of people are splitting fists, climbing on cars and throwing chairs, according to aerial footage captured by television news. Several teenagers threw objects at car windows.

Traffic was blocked by the crowd on several streets. The youths also toppled barricades and threw bottles and even a flower pot at police.

Police detained influential Kai Cenat for inciting rioting. “We’ve faced things like this before, but never at this level of dangerousness,” said Jeffrey Maddrey, head of the NYPD department.

Some youngsters said they came waiting for a giveaway, a computer for livestreaming and a new PlayStation. Skylark Jones, 19, and a friend had come to the area to see Cenat and try to get one of the promoted gifts. When they got there, the stage was already full and they saw bottles thrown by people in the crowd. There was commotion even before Cenat showed up, they said. The police “came with riot shields, attacking people,” he said.

Broadcasting live on Twitch from a vehicle as the event grew, Cenat displayed the gift cards he planned to give. Noticing the crowd and police presence, he said “nothing will be done until it is safe.” Finally, he got out of the vehicle and hurried through the excited crowd to the park, where he found himself at the center of a cheering and pushing crowd.

Maddrey said Cenat, at some point in the afternoon, was removed from the crowd “for his safety.”

Multiple cars were pounded by fans at the Kai Cenat and Fanum meet and greet event in Union Square, NYC. The Twitch/YouTube influencers had promised to give away PlayStations, gift cards, and other goods, but it turned into chaos as thousands of fans mobbed the area. pic.twitter.com/q1xHfiAAdm

— BoreCure (@CureBore) August 5, 2023