A Twitch influencer’s giveaway in Manhattan quickly morphed into mayhem Friday as thousands of his young fans mobbed Union Square Park — assaulting cops, smashing cars and screaming “F—k the PD” in a wild, nearly three-hour scene.
Gamer Kai Cenat, who has over 20 million Twitch followers, planned to give away PlayStation 5s, computers, microphones and other gaming accessories at the real-life meet-up scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
The location of the mass gathering wasn’t announced until just before Cenat arrived at the park and a permit was never obtained, officials said.
Videos show the 21-year-old livestreamer getting hyped up with his crew in his party bus before he heads to the park — where he’s immediately mobbed by thousands of cheering fans.
Within half an hour, the crowd of a “couple thousand” turned violent, with rioters tossing cones, bottles, rocks and brawling with each other — and NYPD whisking Cenat out of the area for his safety, NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey said.
“[The] NYPD became aware at about 1:30 p.m of a crowd forming in Union Square. It was quickly determined that an influencer was posting on social media about showing up to Union Square. He was encouraging all of his followers to come to the park,” Maddrey said at a press conference late Friday afternoon.
Kai Cenat is removed by cops in Union Square.
Influencer Kai Cenat is surrounded by the huge crowd as he arrives in Union Square. Kai Cenat/Twitch
Rioters are seen standing on vehicles amidst Kai Cenat and AMP’s giveaway at Union Square. Shutterstock“The crowd was swarmed when the influencer finally arrived at the park. Individuals in the park began to commit acts of violence towards the police and the public.”
The NYPD’s riot squad was called to the park as the mayhem spread down Lafayette and Bleecker streets.
Police sources described the chaos as a “full-on riot.”
The chaos resulted the arrests 65 people, including Cenat and 30 minors, police said.
Cenat was taken to an Upper East Side precinct and is facing charges of inciting a riot and unlawful assembly, Maddrey said.
It is unknown if Cenat actually ended up giving anything away.
A demonstrator jumps on the top of a car as kicks in the window near Union Square Park. AP
Police officers set off a smoke bomb in order to disperse the crowd. APThree officers and 4 civilians were injured, cops said.
Aerial footage showed the mob flooding the streets, with some teens using barricades to stop the cops. They also tossed bottles, eggs and construction equipment, screaming: “F–k the PD” and “suck my d–k.”
Two teenagers also allegedly threw garbage cans at police officers on East 10th Street off Broadway. Some carried axes and shovels, and Maddrey said kids were “throwing fireworks” at police and other attendees.
Videos captured the kids screaming and climbing on vehicles as one appeared to use the sharp end of an umbrella to smash a parked car.
Police implement crowd control to prevent violence in Union Square. Shutterstock
Rioters are seen destroying public transportation vehicles Friday. John Nacion/Shutterstock
New York Police put up barricades in Union Square. AP
Police at the scene of riot. ShutterstockPost reporters witnessed rioters chucking a desk lamp and parking cones at police as they tried to quell the crowd. Maddrey said some cops were injured and hospitalized but it was unclear how many.
“It was a very dangerous situation,” Maddrey said. “We were in there, we were crushed, we were pushed. I had officers on the floor.
“I was hit with multiple objects as well. I think I have a couple of injuries but I’ll figure that out when I have time to think about it.”
About 1,000 kids flooded the park. Citizen App
The riot broke out during a Kai Cenat giveaway. ABC 7
AP
Buses were stopped due to the crowd. ABC7
The social media post that brought the crowds to Union Square. Kai Cenat
Kai Cenat hosted the giveaway Friday. WireImageThe chief said several teens were also injured.
The NYPD managed to dissipate the crowd just before 6 p.m. with cops tailing some groups as they dispersed south.
An MTA bus was loaded with dozens of arrestees — with some trying to attack the vehicle as it pulled away from the scene.
A total of 19 juveniles and nine adults have been collared so far, sources said, but Maddrey said the “total number of arrests are still being tallied.”
The scene in Union Square turned chaotic on Friday. Stephen Yang
A person is seen about to throw a flower pot during the mayhem. Stephen Yang
Cops try to contain the mob on Friday. Stephen Yang
An officer is seen holding a person back during the riots. Stephen YangJonathan Meija, a 15-year-old from Downtown Brooklyn, arrived at the park around 4 p.m. to see Cenat, whom he said is “really my inspiration.”
The teen said he saw children throwing objects at riot cops by the famous Strand bookstore off Broadway.
“When we came over here, they were destroying people’s cars and s–t,” Meija said. “I’m with my friends and they were like, ‘Let’s go out, f–k it.’”
A group crowded around an MTA bus near Union Square. Stephen Yang
Parts of the group stood on top of cars. Stephen YangVendor Mohamed Ramadan, 39, said a group of kids destroyed the top of his food truck and estimated they did $2,000 in damages.
“They broke the cart, the food truck. They go up the cart and they take all the stuff and they pushed the cart,” he said. “It was kids. It was kids!
A person is detained by cops during the riot. Stephen Yang“They come for a YouTuber. They run away and make a lot of damage for the streets.”
Several stores around the park were still closed around 8 p.m., including Whole Foods, DSW and Burlington.
“The individuals who created this dangerous situation and who attacked and injured New York City police officers need to be identified, held accountable, and subjected to serious consequences. That hasn’t happened in the past. It absolutely must happen this time,” Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Hendry said in a statement.
Additional reporting by Tina Moore
