Words That Sparked a Brawl Among Thousands: "Free Game Consoles"

A famous American influencer caused a commotion when he announced he would give away game consoles for free, drawing thousands of people to the heart of Manhattan, New York, resulting in scuffles. This area is one of the busiest places in New York.

On the 5th (local time), according to CNN and others, the New York Police Department (NYPD) charged influencer Kai Senat (21) with inciting a riot and illegal assembly.

People gathered at Union Square in New York, USA, on the 4th (local time) after hearing that game consoles would be given away for free. This is a part of the footage filmed by WABC-TV. [Photo by AP/ Yonhap News]

Senat, a YouTuber and popular Twitch streamer, announced during an internet live broadcast on the 2nd, "If you answer questions at Union Square at 4 p.m. on the 4th, I will give you gifts," promising to give away popular gaming consoles such as the PlayStation 5 (PS5), microphones, keyboards, webcams, and gaming chairs for free.

According to the New York Police, Senat’s statement, with 6.5 million Twitch followers and 4 million YouTube followers, rapidly spread online, and people began gathering in the park around 3 p.m. that day.

By the promised time of 4 p.m., thousands of citizens had flocked to Union Square, causing chaos.

People gathered to receive game consoles are throwing water bottles and other objects at the police.
[Photo by AFP/Yonhap News]

The crowd gathered in the square fought each other to get the game consoles first, with some even throwing punches.

The police explained, "Within minutes, the crowd grew from hundreds to thousands," adding, "The park and surrounding streets were overflowing with people, obstructing vehicle and pedestrian traffic." Soon, the police issued a 'Level 4' disaster response, the highest level.

Ultimately, Senat gave up on the game console giveaway, but some excited participants climbed onto or hung from a car believed to be Senat’s, creating a dangerous scene. Angry people caused disturbances by throwing bottles, stones, and paint bottles.

Some citizens climbed onto car roofs or train station roofs and threw bottles at police officers trying to suppress the protest.

Videos shared on social media, filmed at the scene, showed excited participants climbing on park facilities, shouting, and causing chaos.

The police said, "People gathered in the park committed acts of violence against police and citizens," adding, "Some individuals brought shovels, axes, and other tools from a construction site." Some police officers trying to stop them were injured.

On the 4th (local time), at Union Square in Manhattan, New York, a crowd causing a commotion while trying to receive free game consoles led to the police arresting a person who was causing a disturbance.
[Photo by AFP / Yonhap News]

About 1,000 police officers were dispatched to the scene. The police stated that a total of 65 people were arrested that day, including 30 teenagers.

Jeffrey Maddry, New York Police Commissioner, said, "We have experienced similar incidents before, but never to this level of danger where young people refuse to follow orders of concern," adding, "There were even people carrying shovels, axes, and construction materials from the construction site."