2023 Union Square riot

On August 4, 2023, Union Square became the site of an unprecedented surge of chaos sparked by an unpermitted social media event. Thousands of teenagers and young adults flooded the park in response to a post by livestreamer Kai Cenat, who had promised a giveaway of gaming consoles and computer equipment. By mid-afternoon, what began as a gathering turned into a volatile scene, with participants scaling nearby structures, leaping onto moving vehicles, and blocking local traffic. The sheer volume of the crowd overwhelmed the park, forcing surrounding businesses to lock their doors and creating a gridlock that stalled the heart of the neighborhood for several hours.