Viral TikTok event Adrian’s Kickback was shut down by police officials on May 22 for unlawful assembly. The event took place at Huntington Beach, California and was organized by TikTok user Adrian Lopez – who posted a now-private video on TikTok last week that invited people to attend his birthday celebration.
The video immediately went viral on TikTok – with the #adrianskickback amassing over 266 million views on the platform. Moreover, many TikTok users posted videos confirming their attendance for the Adrian’s Kickback event:
It’s Adrian’s kickback weekend pic.twitter.com/EDSR8nwuo1
— Taylor Lorenz (@TaylorLorenz) May 22, 2021
On Friday, the Huntington Beach Police Department Public Information Office tweeted that police officials were closely monitoring the event in order to protect residents:
“We are actively monitoring multiple social media posts advertising a large gathering on the beach this weekend. The safety & well-being of our residents, visitors, businesses & motorists is paramount, which is why the Huntington Beach Police Department (HBPD) is taking significant steps to prepare for the potential influx of visitors, including working closely with our regional public safety partners. Toward that end, the HBPD will also be strictly enforcing all applicable laws & ordinances throughout the weekend”.
As is the case with ALL large gatherings in #HuntingtonBeach, we have taken steps to prepare for a potential increase in visitors this weekend due to a promoted gathering that has received significant interest on social media.
Some friendly reminders for those planning to visit: pic.twitter.com/9ZYXd4oU72
— Huntington Beach PD (@HBPD_PIO) May 22, 2021
Adrian’s Kickback was initially meant to be a one-day event. However, celebrations started early – with many gathering the day before the event kickoff date. What was initially meant to be a carefree birthday celebration soon escalated into a full-blown riot that involved gatherers throwing bottles and fireworks at the police. Store fronts, lifeguard towers, and a police car were also reportedly vandalized.
INSTANT REGRET: TikTokers from all over US fly into Huntington Beach for Adrian’s Kickback. Event gets broken up by police. pic.twitter.com/YO42ERqlMR
— Def Noodles (@defnoodles) May 23, 2021
Police immediately tried to intervene and disperse the crowd: the police ultimately arrested 121 adults and 28 juveniles for charges ranging from vandalism, failure to disperse, and illegal fireworks to curfew violations.
Good evening! I’m OTG on Huntingnton Beach to check out Adrian’s kickback. There’s several men in Viking helmet beer serving hats and fireworks. I’ll report more soon. pic.twitter.com/zBe6TKMbP6
— Sean Carmitchel (@ACatWithNews) May 23, 2021
Moreover, the police imposed an emergency curfew from May 22 at 11:30 PM until May 23 across Beach Boulevard to Goldenwest and Pacific Coast Highway to Yorktown in Huntington Beach to prevent the movement of individuals.