Western Reader
New York City, the city that never sleeps, was recently plunged into a state of pandemonium.
The cause? A seemingly innocent event turned disastrous. A massive riot erupted in Union Square Park, right before a planned giveaway by popular social media influencers.
The event was orchestrated by Kai Cenat, a renowned Twitch gamer, who had announced the meetup on TikTok at 3:30 PM.
The plan was to distribute PlayStation 5s, computers, microphones, and other gaming paraphernalia to his fans. Another well-known gamer, Fanum, was also slated to participate in this generous giveaway.
#BreakingNews
A massive riot is currently underway at Union Square Park in Manhattan, New York City.A large gathering of teens and young adults are reportedly attacking NYPD officers and damaging property; reports of multiple injuries.
📍#NewYorkCity #NYC #NY |
#Riots
🎥… pic.twitter.com/bXrJSQoKEj— READY ALERTS (@ReadyAlerts)
August 4, 2023
However, the excitement quickly spiraled out of control. Within just thirty minutes, the gathering of nearly a thousand teenagers descended into chaos. The attendees began tossing cones and engaging in brawls, transforming the park into a battleground.
The situation escalated rapidly, prompting the New York Police Department to label it as a “full-on riot.”
The NYPD’s riot squad was summoned to the scene to restore order amidst the bedlam. The riot not only disrupted the peace but also caused significant transportation issues, with hundreds of teens starting fights, climbing on cars, and even hurling fire extinguishers.
Totally abrupt cutaway by Fox News Live at the 1 min mark.
Why would Fox News Live so abruptly cut away from the Mob Riots in NYC Union Square to talk about the weather?
#NY
#NYPD
pic.twitter.com/JLzXvR4g7h— Noah Fencebutt (@Noah_Fencebutt)
August 4, 2023
Videos circulating online painted a grim picture of the chaos. The footage showed youths screaming, climbing on vehicles, and harassing innocent drivers. The influencers, Kai Cenat and Fanum, were seen leaving the scene amidst the turmoil.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers of unchecked social media influence.
It raises questions about the responsibility of influencers in ensuring the safety and well-being of their followers during such events. As we continue to grapple with the aftermath of this riot, one thing is clear – the Big Apple experienced a day of hell it won’t soon forget.
This article appeared in Watch Dog News and has been published here with permission.
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