Popular Livestreamer Charged for Inciting a Riot After Chaos in New York’s Union Square

Crowds had originally gathered for a giveaway

In this photo taken from video, people jump and kick a car as a crowd runs through the street on Broadway near Union Square in New York, on Aug. 4, 2023. AP Photo/Bobby Calvan

A crowd that gathered in New York City’s Union Square Park for a social media personality who was holding a giveaway descended into chaos on Friday afternoon, leading to multiple arrests.

Kai Cenat, a popular 21-year-old livestreamer with millions of followers on Twitch, Youtube, and Instagram, who had promoted the giveaway, has been charged two counts of inciting a riot and unlawful assembly by the New York Police Department (NYPD).