Kai Cenat , a 21-year-old social media influencer, is facing charges of inciting a riot and promoting an unlawful gathering in New York City. The incident occurred after Cenat enticed thousands of his followers, many of them teenagers, with promises of giving away electronics, including a new PlayStation.
The chaotic gathering took place in Union Square on Friday afternoon, resulting in dozens of arrests, with some individuals jumping atop vehicles, hurling bottles, and engaging in physical altercations. Police arrested 30 juveniles, and several people sustained injuries, with at least four requiring ambulance transportation.
Kai Cenat , known for his presence on platforms like Twitch and YouTube, has a massive online following, with 6.5 million followers on Twitch and 4 million subscribers on YouTube. His videos cover various topics, from daily life to comedy, and have collectively accumulated over 276 million views.
After being released from police custody with a desk appearance ticket, Cenat is scheduled to appear in court on August 18th to address the charges against him. This incident has sparked discussions about the influence that social media influencers hold over their followers, especially young audiences.
During a press briefing unrelated to the incident, Mayor Eric Adams emphasized the importance of not raising children solely through social media. The events in Union Square have drawn attention to the potential consequences of irresponsible actions by popular influencers and the need for responsible behavior in the online space.