[imagesource:instagram/kaicenat]

New York City’s Union Square descended into chaos on Friday afternoon after a Twitch streamer named Kai Cenat, and another ‘influencer’, Fanum, promised their followers multiple PS5’s as well as $100 (R1800) gift cards in a viral video posted to the social media site.

Cenat is the most-subscribed streamer on Twitch. The giveaway was set to take place at Union Square Park at 4 PM, but according to reports the park was already packed by 3 PM.

The Twitch homie obviously didn’t think this one through as he showed off the PlayStations and gift cards from inside his car in a live-streamed video. Once at the park, Cenat stepped out of the vehicle and was met with total chaos.

Scenes from the frontlines were broadcast far and wide in what many believed was a deliberate attempt at promotion. Cenat seemed to also be caught off guard as his live stream descended into a Blair Witch-like madness. The video has since been removed.

The Twitcher has now been charged with two counts of inciting a riot and is due to appear in court on August 18th.

The only public statement from those involved with planning the event has been an Instagram story posted by Kai Cenat’s AMP (Any Means Possible) group, saying, “We apologize to all of those impacted, and we are fully cooperating with local authorities.”

Any means possible, ne?

Police only became aware of the planned giveaway thirty minutes before things kicked off, but after some in the crowd acted violently, they removed Cenat from the park before eventually declaring the gathering an unlawful assembly.

Cenat and Fanum continued posting to social media on Friday before their accounts went quiet. Posts shared on, and in some cases, quickly deleted from their Instagram stories, included one with the text, “I love you guys to the fullest you guys are amazing, THE LOVE FROM HOME BASE IS REAL, Please be safe.”

No such thing as bad publicity it seems.

[source:theverge]