Popular Streamer Charged After New York Giveaway Turns Chaotic

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Facts

  • Popular social media streamer Kai Cenat is facing charges after hosting a giveaway event in New York City that turned to chaos, resulting in injuries and dozens of arrests.1
  • Thousands of people showed up at Union Square on Friday following promises of free PlayStation consoles and other devices. News footage captured people climbing on vehicles, hurling chairs, and throwing punches.2
  • The event didn't have a city permit and wasn't sanctioned.3
  • Cenat, who has millions of followers across YouTube, Instagram, and Twitch, has been charged with inciting a riot and unlawful assembly.4
  • Police arrested 65 people, including 30 minors. Three police officers were injured and four civilians required ambulances.2
  • Cenat was released from police custody on Saturday and is expected to appear in court on Aug. 18.1

Sources: 1Associated Press, 2Al Jazeera, 3ABC7 New York, and 4CNN.

Narratives

  • Narrative A, as provided by Jagwire. This disastrous event shows the power of social media and how dangerous it can be if not controlled, especially for young people. Social media use is directly linked to unrest, political violence, and domestic terrorism. Just look what happened here — police officers attacked, public property damaged, and civilians injured, all for the chance to see a social media star up close. Cenat absolutely should be held accountable.
  • Narrative B, as provided by The Washington Post. Would the police have responded so harshly and violently if a white social media star had been hosting this event? Cenat is one of the most popular African-American streamers, with a record-breaking number of subscribers on Twitch. Police in the US are known for racial profiling and police brutality against Black people and the reaction to this event is suspect, to say the least.