
(DailyVantage.com) – Kai Cenat, one of the most popular streamers on Twitch, is currently in hot water due to his recent giveaway that sparked a riot in New York City. Cenat revealed in a stream that he’d be meeting with fans in Manhattan to give away a PlayStation and that the giveaway would take place at Union Square.
Cenat’s giveaway immediately drew hundreds of fans to Union Square, a gathering that quickly devolved into a large-scale riot that resulted in numerous injuries. New York City police quickly arrested Cenat for inciting the riot and 65 others who participated. Police released Cenat just hours after his initial detention and stated that the streamer would be charged with inciting a riot and unlawful assembly, adding that the streamer lacked the required permits for such a large gathering.
Cenat is due in court on August 18th and hasn’t commented on his role in the controversial riot. The public relations company working with Cenat released a statement that condemned the rioters’ actions and apologized to the public for their lackluster planning of the giveaway event. Due to the gathering quickly becoming violent, it’s unclear if anyone received the giveaway items before police became involved.
Cenat’s giveaway brought over 1,000 fans to the Union Square location. Some people attending the event shared online videos in which fans are shown smashing various items and hitting parked cars shortly after Cenat left his vehicle. Of the 65 fans detained by New York police, 30 were juveniles, raising concerns about Twitch streamers like Cenat’s influence over the younger audience members. The police haven’t commented on whether or not each person arrested will face criminal charges, but they have confirmed that Cenat is the subject of a desk ticket and will likely face criminal charges moving forward.
The mayor of New York City, Eric Adams, defended Cenat in his comments regarding the event. Adams claims that he believes the riot was instigated by “outside influencers” rather than Cenat himself, seemingly contradicting the position of his city’s police department. Despite the ongoing legal case that Cenat is currently subject to, the possibility of the Twitch streamer facing jail time or criminal consequences remains very slim.
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