Twitch giveaway turns violent, thousands flood New York City Square

05 Aug 2023 12:20pm

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 04: Plates are thrown near Chelsea as members of the NYPD respond to the disruptions caused by large crowds during a "giveaway" event hosted by popular Twitch live streamer Kai Cenat in Union Square and the surrounding area on August 4, 2023in New York City. Cenat, who announced on social media that he would be giving away video game consoles and other items, is reportedly in police custody after a crowd sparked disorder in the park leading to numerous arrests. Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Alexi J. Rosenfeld / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

NEW YORK - A PlayStation giveaway organised by Twitch streamer Kai Cenat at New York City's Union Square deteriorated into chaos Friday as about a thousand people flooded the area, leading to confrontations with police.

Earlier on X, the social-media platform formerly known as Twitter, Cenat had announced the PS5 giveaway would be held at 4 pm, but large crowds started converging on Union Square at around 1.30 pm.

By 3.30 pm, the situation had gotten out of hand, with the crowd throwing objects and police making arrests, reported United Press International (UPI).

At about 4.25 pm, news footage showed a vehicle, which was likely carrying Cenat, leaving the area as members of the crowd climbed on top of it.

Police put out a Level Four mobilisation order in response to the chaos, calling all available police forces to the area. Police warned people in the crowd that they would be subject to arrest.

Cenat's Twitch stream showed the crowd cheering and yelling in real time during the chaos before cutting off abruptly.

By 6 pm, the crowds largely had dispersed, leaving trash and debris behind. A bus carrying individuals who had been arrested was seen leaving the area.

NYPD Police Chief Jeff Maddrey said officers removed Cenat from the scene for his own protection and that he is in custody at the Midtown precinct as authorities consider pressing charges against him for incitement.