Streamer Kai Cenat faces charges of inciting riot after thousands cause mayhem in New York
- The social media influencer drew thousands of his followers to an event on Friday that resulted in chaos with dozens arrested
- Cenat, a video creator with 6.5 million followers on the platform Twitch, was released from police custody on Saturday and is to appear in court on August 18
Social media influencer Kai Cenat is facing charges of inciting a riot and promoting an unlawful gathering in New York after the online streamer drew thousands of his followers, many of them teenagers, with promises of giving away electronics, including a new PlayStation. The event resulted in chaos with dozens arrested – some jumping on cars, hurling bottles and throwing punches.
Cenat was released early on Saturday from police custody after being issued a desk appearance ticket, which is issued by police to require a suspect to appear in court to answer charges. A police spokesperson said Cenat is to appear in court on August 18.
The mayhem in New York’s Union Square on Friday afternoon put further focus on the hold social media influencers have on the people who follow and fawn over them.
“Our children cannot be raised by social media,” New York mayor Eric Adams said on Saturday during a press briefing on an unrelated crime.
Police said they arrested 65 people, including 30 juveniles. Several people were injured, including some with bloodied faces. At least four people were taken away in ambulances.
“I don’t think people realise the level of discipline that we showed to take a very dangerous, volatile situation and to be able to bring it to a level of resolve without any loss of life or any substantial damage to property and without young people harming themselves,” Adams said.