Massive crowd forms at Union Square Plaza: video
UNION SQUARE, Manhattan (PIX11) – A large crowd estimated to be in the thousands gathered at Union Square Plaza Friday, prompting a police response, video from the Citizen App shows.
It appears the crowd is waiting for Youtuber and Twitch streamer Kai Canat. On Thursday, he tweeted that he would be heading to Union Square Plaza at 4 p.m. for a giveaway.
"Due to police activity, avoid the area surrounding Union Square Park and use alternate routes. Expect a police presence in the area and residual traffic delays," the NYPD tweeted.
Several fights broke out as the crowd swelled, video of the scene showed.
A witness told PIX11 News the crowd turned into a moshpit, with people throwing chairs, garbage cans, umbrellas, basketballs, and fruit.
"It was the uttermost chaos," the witness said on PIX11 News at 4 p.m. "We had to run for our lives due to a stampede ... it was really scary."
PIX11 News reached out to Canat's talent representatives for a statement but did not immediately receive a response.
This is a developing story. Refresh this story for updates.