(trendingpoliticsnews) – Popular Twitch streamer Kai Cenat — who boasts a following of more than five million — was arrested Friday after hosting a giveaway that ultimately spawned several blocks of rioting in New York City.
On Wednesday, Cenat announced on his Twitch channel that he would be hosting a “huge” giveaway with video game consoles, PCs, keyboards and more. The video had racked up more than two million views prior to the event’s scheduled start time of 4 p.m. in Manhattan’s Union Square.
By 3 p.m. on Friday, the park was already packed, according to a report from NBC New York. Before long, the event devolved into general mayhem complete with brawls between attendees, theft and destruction of property. Videos from the scene show rioters jumping on and smashing cars of innocent passersby while others threw objects at police.
The NYPD ended up using tear gas to clear the crowd, which largely had been dispersed by 5:30 p.m. as police had all entrances blocked.
Cenat, 21, was removed from the area “for his own safety” shortly after the event’s scheduled start time, New York City Police Chief Jeffrey Maddrey told reporters. The social media influencer is now facing a number of charges, including riot, inciting to riot and unlawful assembly.
An NYPD spokesman added that he was issued with a desk appearance ticket that will require him to appear in court at a later date.
A total of 65 people were arrested, Maddrey said. 35 of them were juveniles, most of whom were taken into custody after attacking police with bottles, fireworks and paint cans obtained from a nearby construction site. “You had people walking around with shovels, axes, and other tools from the construction trade. In addition, individuals were also lighting fireworks and flash bombs. They were throwing them towards police, and they were throwing them at each other,” Maddrey said.
“Officers were attacked, we were crushed,” adding that he was personally hit with multiple objects. “I personally observed young people having panic attacks, anxiety attacks… people were suffering out here.”
“We can’t allow this to happen again in the future,” Maddrey told reporters. “Listen, 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.”
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