Chaos erupts at Manhattan’s Union Square during livestreamer Kai Cenat’s giveaway Story by Jesse Zanger • 31m
NEW YORK - Chaos erupted Friday after a large crowd gathered at Manhattan’s Union Square Park for livestreamer Kai Cenat’s giveaway.
Some of the crowd could be seen tearing down construction barricades and hurling objects, including throwing some objects at responding police officers.
Officials are expected to give an update on the situation shortly. You can watch that live on WCBS-TV and on CBS News New York.
As one vehicle attempted to leave - which is believed to have been carrying Cenat - the crowd could be seen mobbing it. It moved slowly through throngs of people before eventually speeding off, with people clinging to the sides and back. At least three people could be seen tumbling off the vehicle onto the pavement as it sped away.
Cenat was taken into police custody for questioning at around 5 p.m. CBS New York’s Marcia Kramer has learned exclusively Cenat did not have a permit for the event. Earlier in the day, he posted on social media that he would be there in person for the giveaway.
Cenat has more than 9 million followers on Twitch and other social media platforms.
Related: Who is Kai Cenat? Watch Chopper 2 over the scene As the chaos unfolded, Chopper 2 was overhead and spotted people climbing on top of the roof covering the entrance to the Union Square subway station. One person was seen setting off a fire extinguisher, sending huge smoky plumes over the crowd.
The crowd was apparently gathered there for Cenat’s giveaway - apparently he had planned to give away 300 PlayStations. Authorities estimated some 2,000 people showed up.
New York City subways are bypassing Union Square station.
While the crowd gathered as early as 1 p.m., the raucous behavior broke out roughly around 3 p.m. or so.
The NYPD called for a massive response - a Level 4 mobilization, meaning roughly 1,000 officers - after people began demolishing construction barricades, throwing objects, and standing on top of the Union Square subway entrance. Several people could be seen being placed into custody.
Responding officers, however, were not in riot gear, wearing helmets, or carrying shields - a clear difference from how they responded to George Floyd protests.
Police could be heard using loudspeakers to tell the crowd that if they disperse, they will not be arrested.
Some of the people at Union Square could be seen standing on top of cars and trucks.
Much of the crowd was milling about peacefully.
By 4:40 p.m., the crowd had thinned out significantly, but there were still plenty of people in the area.