Popular US Streamer Arrested for 'Inciting Riot' After Manhattan Giveaway Went Wrong

© Photo Twitter / @CrimeInNYCRiots on the street of Manhattan, New York, caused by a giveaway organized by popular streamer Kai Cenat on August 4, 2023.
Riots on the street of Manhattan, New York, caused by a giveaway organized by popular streamer Kai Cenat on August 4, 2023. - Sputnik Africa, 1920, 05.08.2023
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The 21-year-old streamer started the incident with an Instagram post inviting his fans to meet him in Lower Manhattan for a live-streamed event at which he would dish out presents, including PlayStation 5 consoles.
A well-known video gaming influencer who streams on Twitch, Kai Cenat, has been arrested after a giveaway event drew thousands of young people, causing chaos in New York City, the local media reported.
The Friday afternoon event promoted by Cenat, one of the most popular internet streamers, spiraled out of hand well before its official 4 pm start time.

According to reports, citing police estimates, the throng eventually grew to a "couple of thousand people."

Cenat was taken into police custody for questioning, as he did not have a permit for the event and did not consult with police beforehand.

The streamer is said to face at least two counts of instigating a riot and unlawful assembly, along with a few more accusations, the police said.

Shortly after the interrogation, the streamer was released under the obligation to appear at a court hearing.
It remained unclear on Saturday whether the streamer managed to distribute anything or whether there were prizes in the first place, local media claimed.
Local media reported that it is unclear what caused the gathering to become unruly, but around 3:30 pm, individuals were throwing garbage at police and tearing down barriers surrounding the perimeter.
Others were seen tossing chairs and bottles, witnesses told the media. One individual had bruising on his face and stated that he was shoved to the ground.

The ruckus provoked the NYPD's maximum degree of police mobilization. According to a spokesperson, the department has dispatched an estimated 1,000 cops to deal with the worsening situation.

Several cops were likewise injured in the commotion, and "quite a few" people were arrested as police sought to disperse the throng, the spokesperson went on to say. According to preliminary department estimates, 65 people were cuffed, 30 of whom were identified as children.
Kai Cenat is a Twitch streamer and YouTuber who has been creating online material since 2018, when he was still in high school. He has a massive fanbase and became the most-subscribed Twitch streamer of all time in February 2023, currently having more than 6.5 million followers on the platform. Furthermore, he has almost 4 million YouTube subscribers and 5 million Instagram followers.
He's earned several accolades for his content, which includes recordings of him participating in various challenges, online pranks, and other activities.
Over time, the streamer has done multiple prank videos, such as faking to smash his brother's PlayStation 4 controller or knocking on neighbors' doors and running away - a video that became his first to surpass a million views.
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