2023 Union Square riot

2023 Union Square riot
Part of riots and civil unrest in the history of the United States
Crowd awaiting the arrival of Kai Cenat at Union Square, Manhattan
Date	August 4, 2023 (2023-08-04) c. 3:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.[1] (UTC−4)
Location	Union Square, Manhattan, New York 40°44′9″N 73°59′28″W / 40.73583°N 73.99111°W / 40.73583; -73.99111
Parties
Any Means Possible Supporters of Kai Cenat Law enforcement New York Police Department Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Lead figures
Kai Cenat Fanum Duke Dennis Agent00 Edward Caban Tania Kinsella Jeffrey Maddrey Janno Lieber
Casualties
Injuries	9
Arrested	65
Charged	1 (Kai Cenat, charges later dropped)

On August 4, 2023, at approximately 3:30 p.m., internet personality Kai Cenat held a purported giveaway of gaming-related items in Union Square, Manhattan, without a permit. The event, which drew thousands of participants to Union Square Park, became a riot. Social media posts of the event surfaced around the same time. During the riot, 9 people were injured and 65 people, including 30 minors, were arrested. The neighborhood's subway station and surrounding stores were obliged to close early due to police activity in the area.

Cenat was taken into police custody by the New York City Police Department (NYPD) during the riot and was charged with inciting a riot and unlawful assembly. These charges were dropped by the Manhattan district attorney's office once he paid over $55,000 in restitution. He appeared in court on August 16 and 18. His business partners at Any Means Possible apologized for the riot. Cenat would also apologize in a livestream on August 9. The incident led to discussion and debate about the influence of internet personalities.