Twitch streamer's giveaway sparks riot in NYC's Union Square

A video game giveaway hosted by a famous Twitch streamer in New York City’s Union Square Park in Manhattan on Friday sparked riots after thousands of people gathered, many of which climbed on cars, tossed chairs, and fought at the event. 

Twitch streamer Kai Cenat, currently one of the most popular streamers online with 6.5 million followers, invited his fans to the park for a giveaway, in which he would be handing out PlayStation consoles, gift cars, and other items, at around 4 p.m.

Police estimate that a “couple thousand people” showed up to the event and things got out of control, prompting the New York City Police Department to launch the highest level of police mobilization.

Nearly 1,000 officers responded to the scene.

Aerial footage of the park shows it tightly packed with people, many of which spared structures in the park and overflowing the nearby streets. 

Kai Cenat and Fanum caused a riot in NYC's Union Square after promising to distribute free PS5s, PCs, gift cards, etc.

Hundreds of youngsters gathered, leading to fights.

The NYPD was on scene to disperse the crowd and warned of mass transit disruptions and traffic delays. pic.twitter.com/qZhbM2MpOE

— BoreCure (@CureBore) August 4, 2023

Witnesses reported that people were throwing chairs and bottles at the crowd, while others were throwing garbage at the police and passing cars. 

Young people were also seen knocking over the barricades set by the police to control the perimeter of the event. 

At around 5 p.m., police gained control of the crowd and people began to disperse. Cenat was removed from the crowd by police officers and was placed in custody, along with several other individuals. It is unclear if he will face any criminal charges. 

"I personally observed young people walking out with their heads- bleeding from their heads, bleeding from on their faces. I personally observed young people having panic attacks, anxiety attacks, asthma attacks. People were suffering out here. It was a lot of people, it was uncontrolled, it took us a while to get it under control, and a lot of young people got hurt," NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey said.

Six individuals were hurt in the chaos of the event, four of which had to be transported to Beth Israel Hospital and two others to Lennox Hill Healthplex.