On Friday, a YouTuber's video game system giveaway caused havoc in New York City.Kai Cenat, a celebrity Twitch broadcaster, gave away PlayStation 5s to 2,000 people in Union Square Park.
Police claimed the influencer was among several detained and might be prosecuted with instigating a disturbance.Fireworks, bottles, and barricades were thrown.
As authorities advised people to avoid the area, CBS reported that subway trains passed the Union Square stop.
Mr. Cenat announced on social media that he will give away 300 PlayStations at 13:00 local time (17:00 GMT).By 15:00, hundreds gathered outside one of New York City's busiest train stops.
They climbed cars and tossed bottles at cops. New York Police Department issued a "level four" mobilisation, sending 1,000 policemen."They're throwing tear gas out there," Mr. Cenat remarked while livestreaming from a car near Union Square.
We'll wait until it's safe. Everyone for themselves—it's a fight out there."Mr. Cenat was arrested at 17:00. The gathering dispersed after an hour.Mr. Cenat, who collaborated with Bronx YouTuber Fanum, did not have a permit for the event, according to CBS.
NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey remarked, "We have encountered things like this before, but never to this level of dangerousness, where young people would not listen to our commands."
"People were carrying shovels, axes, and other construction tools," he said."People also lit fireworks. They threw them at cops and each other."In March, Mr. Cenat reached 300,000 Twitch subscribers.