injuries and arrests
Game consoles on Union Square: Influencers unleash chaos in New York with a gift campaign
Teens kick parked cars in Union Square, New York. The situation had previously escalated around a planned gift campaign by two influencers.
© Yuki Iwamura / AFP
Two streamers promise their fans a gift campaign in the middle of New York – and make them wait. Enraged fans then obstruct traffic and throw objects. 1000 police officers had to break up the chaos.
Even before the announced start time, hundreds and eventually thousands of mainly younger people gathered on the square. When the action did not start as planned, according to the police, many people began to stop traffic and throw objects. The police reacted with a large-scale operation to the action, which had not been reported in accordance with the rules in advance, and was finally able to calm the situation down again. Around 65 people were arrested.
New York: Influencer expects charges after action
Mayor Eric Adams thanked the New York City Police Department (NYPD) for bringing the situation under control so quickly. “I want our streets to be full of life and joy. But they have to be safe. That’s the most important thing.”
“People were bleeding from their heads and faces,” police chief Jeffrey Maddrey said at a press conference after the incident. “There were a lot of people, it was out of control, (…) a lot of young people were injured.”
Ultimately, 1,000 police officers were needed to break up the impromptu meeting. Several people were arrested. Internet star Cenat was taken out of the crowd and questioned, the NYPD said. He’s facing charges.