Just Earth News | @justearthnews | 04 Aug 2023, 11:12 pm Print
Picture Courtesy: Twitter video grab New York witnessed violent clashes on Friday after people assembled at Union Square Park following a call by a social media influencer, who promised to give away PS5, turned unruly. Photo Courtesy: Twitter video grab
New York witnessed violence on Friday as a large number of people, who had gathered at the popular Union Square Park following a call from celebrity Twitch streamer Kai Cenat who promised to give away a video games console, turned chaotic.
The violence reportedly left several people injured.
The influencer, who has more than 20 million followers, will face two counts of inciting a riot and unlawful assembly, as well as other unspecified charges, NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey was quoted as saying at a press conference as quoted by New York Post.
According to reports, the social media influencer had not obtained a permit for the event.
Sixty-five others were taken into custody throughout the three-hour melee, 30 of whom were juveniles, the newspaper reported.
Maddrey said during the violence at least three cops and four civilians were injured.
The police brought the situation under control following the detention of the social media influencer.
“A lot of these young people, they were not following our orders. They really wanted to see this influencer. It got to the point where we were able to get the influencer out and, at that point, we were trying to take control of the scene," Maddrey was quoted as saying by New York Post.
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