NEW YORK: An event organized by a popular online influencer in New York City turned violent on August 4, resulting in injuries and a significant police response, according to authorities. The gathering was initiated by 21-year-old Kai Cenat, who took to Instagram to invite his fans to a live-streamed event in lower Manhattan where he promised to distribute gifts, including Playstation 5 game consoles.
Within a short period, thousands of young people, estimated to be around 2,000 according to US media reports, flocked to Union Square and the adjacent streets in anticipation of Cenat’s appearance. Cenat, with a huge following on platforms like Twitch, YouTube, and Instagram, attracted an unexpectedly large crowd.
However, the situation quickly turned chaotic when some young men began throwing objects from a nearby construction site, targeting both the crowd and the police, who were swiftly deployed in significant numbers. Television footage and news photographs captured scenes of rioters surrounding vehicles and engaging in destructive behavior such as kicking and smashing cars.
New York City Police Chief Jeffrey Maddrey expressed concern about the extent of the injuries sustained during the event, stating, “People were bleeding from their heads, from their faces… people were suffering out here.” The gathering became uncontrollable due to the massive number of attendees, with a significant number of young people being injured.
To disperse the impromptu gathering, a thousand police officers were eventually required. Several individuals were arrested, although Cenat was brought in for questioning and had not been formally detained at the time. – AFP
Credit: The Star : News Feed
