Violence erupted in New York City’s Union Square on Friday afternoon when at least 1,000 kids and teenagers swarmed the area for a PlayStation giveaway and police officers were injured and had bottles, rocks, and fireworks thrown at them.
A spokesperson for the New York City Police Department told Fox News Digital that at least 1,000 kids gathered in the area of Union Square Park for a PlayStation giveaway organized by a social media influencer. Twitch streamer Kai Cenat tweeted around 2:00 p.m. Friday that there would be a giveaway at 3:30 p.m. at Union Square Park.
Video from the incident shows several people throwing bottles at police officers. New York Police Chief Department Jeffrey Maddrey said during a press conference that multiple arrests were made, stating that police and members of the public sustained injuries. He said the gathering was declared unlawful.
“We did have members that sustained some injuries out here at this time,” Maddrey said. “We were crushed. We were pushed. I had officers on the floor.”
“As you see, I’m a little embarrassed because I’m very dirty right here. But I was in the middle of the crowd. I was hit with multiple objects as well. I think I have a couple of injuries, but I’ll figure that out once I have time to think about it,” he said.
Maddrey said that the incident “speaks to the power of social media and the danger of social media.” The police spokesperson added that a level four mobilization was issued. Police used loudspeakers and warned the crowd, “This gathering is unlawful. You are ordered to disperse.”
Video seen on Cenat’s live Twitch video prior to cutting off shows the social media influencer getting out of a van and running. During the incident at Union Square Park, people could be seen climbing on top of a moving vehicle as it sped away while others pounded on the side of a city bus. The windows of a police vehicle were also seen broken during the incident.
