View source for 2007 Boston Mooninite panic

{{short description|2007 mass panic}}
{{good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2012}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox event
| image                    = ATHF LED in Cambridge.jpg
| caption                  = An LED display resembling the cartoon character [[Ignignokt]] from ''[[Aqua Teen Hunger Force]]'' giving [[the finger]] as seen in [[Cambridge, Massachusetts]]
| time                     = 8:05 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
| date                     = {{start date|2007|01|31}}
| location                 = [[Boston]], [[Cambridge, Massachusetts|Cambridge]], and [[Somerville, Massachusetts]], U.S.
| type                     = [[Guerrilla marketing]] campaign, falsely identified as a [[bomb threat]]
| organizers               = [[Interference, Inc.]]
| participants             = [[Zebbler|Peter "Zebbler" Berdovsky]]
}}

On the morning of January 31, 2007, the [[Boston Police Department]] and the [[Boston Fire Department]] mistakenly identified battery-powered [[LED]] placards depicting [[the Mooninites]], characters from the [[Adult Swim]] animated television series ''[[Aqua Teen Hunger Force]]'', as [[improvised explosive device]]s (IEDs), leading to a massive panic. Placed throughout [[Boston|Boston, Massachusetts]], and the surrounding cities of [[Cambridge, Massachusetts|Cambridge]] and [[Somerville, Massachusetts|Somerville]] by [[Zebbler|Peter "Zebbler" Berdovsky]] and Sean Stevens, these devices were part of a nationwide [[guerrilla marketing]] [[advertising campaign]] for ''[[Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters]]''.

The massive panic led to controversy and criticism from U.S. media sources, including ''[[The Boston Globe]]'', ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', [[Fox News]], ''[[The San Francisco Chronicle]]'', ''[[The New York Times]]'', [[CNN]], and ''[[The Boston Herald]]''. Some ridiculed the city's response to the devices{{em dash}}including the arrests of the two men hired to place the placards around the area<ref name="sixyears" />{{em dash}}as disproportionate and indicative of a [[generation gap]] between city officials and the younger residents of Boston, at whom the ads were targeted. Several sources noted that the hundreds of officers in the Boston police department or city emergency planning office on scene were unable to identify the figure depicted for several hours until a young staffer at Mayor [[Thomas Menino]]'s office saw the media coverage and recognized the figures.

After the devices were removed, the Boston Police Department stated in its defense that the ad devices shared some similarities with improvised explosive devices, with them also discovering an identifiable power source, a [[Printed circuit board|circuit board]] with exposed wiring, and electrical tape. Investigators were not mollified by the discovery that the devices were not explosive in nature, stating they still intended to determine "if this event was a [[hoax]] or something else entirely". Although city [[prosecutors]] eventually concluded there was no [[mens rea|ill intent]] involved in the placing of the ads, the city continues to refer to the event as a "bomb hoax" (implying intent) rather than a "bomb scare".<ref name="$2million">{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |title=Turner, 2nd firm to pay $2 million over scare |date=February 5, 2007 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna16990202 |work=NBC News |access-date=December 19, 2007 |df=mdy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130420214104/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/16990202/ |archive-date=April 20, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Reflecting years later, various academics and media sources have characterized the phenomenon as a form of [[social panic]].<ref name="jeremypacker" /><ref name="mooninitepanic" /> Gregory Bergman wrote in his 2008 book ''BizzWords'' that the devices were basically a self-made form of the children's toy [[Lite-Brite]].<ref name="gregorybergman" /> [[Bruce Schneier]] wrote in his 2009 book ''Schneier on Security'' that Boston officials were "ridiculed" for their overreaction to the incident.<ref name="schneieronsecurity" /> In his 2009 book ''Secret Agents'', historian and communication professor Jeremy Packer discussed a cultural phenomenon called the "panic discourse" and described the incident as a "spectacular instance of this panic".<ref name="jeremypacker" /> In a 2012 article, ''[[The Boston Phoenix]]'' called the incident the "Great Mooninite Panic of 2007".<ref name="mooninitepanic" /> A 2013 publication by [[WGBH Educational Foundation|WGBH]] wrote that the majority of Boston youth thought that the arrests of two men who placed devices were not justified.<ref name="sixyears" />

== Planning ==
[[File:Zebbler 2012 (8266396258).jpg|thumb|Peter "Zebbler" Berdovsky was one of the men involved with installing the displays|301x301px]]
In November 2006, [[Boston]] area artist Peter "Zebbler" Berdovsky met a man named John, who worked for a marketing organization named Interference, Inc., in New York City. John then asked Berdovsky if he would be interested in working on a promotional project, with Berdovsky agreeing and enlisting Sean Stevens. Interference shipped Berdovsky 40 electronic signs, and Adrienne Yee of Interference emailed him a list of suggested locations and a list of things not to do. According to police, the suggested locations for the devices included train stations, overpasses, hip/trendy areas, and high traffic/high visibility areas. The signs were to be put up discreetly overnight, with Berdovsky and Stevens being paid $300 each for their assistance.<ref>{{cite web|last=Palmer|first=Jon|title=It's The 13th Anniversary Of The Boston Mooninite Panic|url=https://wbznewsradio.iheart.com/content/boston-mooninite-panic-aqua-teen-hunger-force-bomb-scare/|publisher=WBZ 1030 NewsRadio|date=February 1, 2020|access-date=February 28, 2022|archive-date=February 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228161334/https://wbznewsradio.iheart.com/content/boston-mooninite-panic-aqua-teen-hunger-force-bomb-scare/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Berdovsky, Stevens, and Dana Seaver put up 20 magnetic lights in mid January, dubbing the activity "Boston Mission 1". While Stevens and Berdovsky put up the lights, Seaver recorded the activity on video and sent a copy to Interference. On the night of January 29, 2007, in what was called "Boston Mission 2", 18 more magnetic lights were placed.  This included one under [[Interstate 93]] at [[Sullivan Square (Boston)|Sullivan Square]], in [[Charlestown, Boston|Charlestown]].<ref name="BGTB">{{cite news|author=Levenson, Michael |author2=Mishra, Raja |title=Turner Broadcasting accepts blame, promises restitution |url=http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/02/02/turner_broadcasting_accepts_blame_promises_restitution/?page=full |work=The Boston Globe |publisher=The New York Times Company |date=February 2, 2007 |access-date=February 2, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110523095942/http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/02/02/turner_broadcasting_accepts_blame_promises_restitution/?page=full |archive-date=May 23, 2011 |url-status=live |df=mdy }}</ref>

=== Devices ===
The devices used were promotional electronic placards for the forthcoming ''[[Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters]]''.  Each device, measuring about {{convert|1|by|1.5|ft|cm|round=5}},<ref name="BG">{{cite news|author=Smalley, Suzanne |author2=Mishra, Raja |title=Froth, fear, and fury |url=http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2007/02/01/froth_fear_and_fury/?page=full |work=The Boston Globe |publisher=The New York Times Company |date=February 1, 2007 |access-date=February 2, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110523095903/http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2007/02/01/froth_fear_and_fury/?page=full |archive-date=May 23, 2011 |url-status=live |df=mdy }}</ref> consisted of a strap of [[List of battery sizes|D-batteries]] and electrical tape following installation.<ref name="Geek.com">{{Cite web |last=Gonzales |first=Dave |title=Banned Aqua Teen Hunger Force Boston episode leaks online |url=http://www.geek.com/news/banned-aqua-teen-hunger-force-boston-episode-leaks-online-1620022/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150419095729/http://www.geek.com/news/banned-aqua-teen-hunger-force-boston-episode-leaks-online-1620022/ |archive-date=April 19, 2015 |access-date=11 May 2015 |website=Geek.com |publisher=Geek}}</ref>

The [[LED lights]] were arranged to represent the [[The Mooninites|Mooninite]] characters [[List of Aqua Teen Hunger Force characters#Ignignokt and Err|Ignignokt and Err]] displaying [[the finger|the middle finger]].<ref name="arrest">{{cite news| date=January 31, 2007|title=Arrest Made In Boston's Hoax Device Incident|publisher=CBS Corporation|url=http://cbs4boston.com/topstories/local_story_031135507.html |access-date=January 31, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080516101001/http://cbs4boston.com/topstories/local_story_031135507.html |archive-date=May 16, 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/10890113/detail.html |author=Jamy Pombo |title=TV Network Takes Responsibility For 'Hoax Devices' |publisher=ABC |date=January 31, 2007 |access-date=January 31, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070202010722/http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/10890113/detail.html |archive-date=February 2, 2007 |url-status=dead |df=mdy }}</ref> [[Massachusetts Attorney General]] [[Martha Coakley]] said that the device "had a very sinister appearance. It had a battery behind it, and wires".<ref name="CNN">{{cite news | last = Lothian | first = Dan |author2=Fran Fifis|author3=Deborah Feyerick | title = Two plead not guilty to Boston hoax charges | publisher = CNN | date = February 1, 2007 | url = http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/02/01/boston.bombscare/ | access-date =February 2, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070203050621/http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/02/01/boston.bombscare/ |archive-date = February 3, 2007}}</ref> Others compared the displays to the [[Lite-Brite]] electric toy.<ref name="CNN" />

== Subsequent panic ==
[[File:Mooninite2.jpg|thumb|Close-up of one of the LED displays while being lit]]
[[File:Hollywood Mooninite.jpg|thumb|One of the displays located in [[Los Angeles]]]]

On January 31, 2007, at 8:05&nbsp;a.m., a civilian spotted one of the devices on a [[stanchion]] that supports an elevated section of Interstate 93 (I-93), above [[Sullivan Square (MBTA station)|Sullivan Station]] and told a policeman from the [[Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority]] (MBTA) of its presence.<ref name="suspicious object removed">{{cite news |first1=John R. |last1=Ellement |first2=Andrew |last2=Ryan |title=Bomb squad removes suspicious object that closed I-93 north |date=<!-- 11:15&nbsp;AM  --> January 31, 2007 |url=http://www.boston.com/news/globe/city_region/breaking_news/2007/01/bomb_squad_remo.html |work=Posted by the Boston Globe City & Region Desk |access-date=February 6, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070206212122/http://www.boston.com/news/globe/city_region/breaking_news/2007/01/bomb_squad_remo.html |archive-date=February 6, 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref> At 9&nbsp;a.m., the [[Boston Police Department]] bomb squad received a phone call from the MBTA requesting assistance in identifying the device.<ref name="BPD">{{cite web | url = http://www.bpdnews.com/2007/02/message_from_the_police_commis_2.html | title = Message From The Police Commissioner | access-date =February 3, 2007 | last = Davis | first = Ed | date = February 2, 2007 | work = BPDNews.com | publisher = Boston Police Department |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070203120922/http://www.bpdnews.com/2007/02/message_from_the_police_commis_2.html |archive-date = February 3, 2007}}</ref> Authorities responded with what the ''[[Boston Globe]]'' described as "[an] army of emergency vehicles" at the scene, including police cruisers, fire trucks, ambulances, and the Boston Police Department bomb squad. Also present were live TV crews, a large crowd of onlookers, and helicopters circling overhead.<ref name="suspicious object removed"/> Peter Berdovsky arrived at the scene and video recorded the situation. He recognized the device under police investigation, but made no attempt to inform them. He returned to his apartment and contacted Interference. Interference told him that they would handle informing the police and that he should personally say nothing about the situation.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20071224061320/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/02/06/ap/national/mainD8N4BOQG0.shtml Man in Boston Scare Videotaped Police: Defendant in Boston marketing stunt scare videotaped police response, attorney says] Feb. 6, 2007</ref>

During the preliminary investigation at the site, police found that the devices resembled [[improvised explosive devices]]. Similarities included a noticeable power source, circuit board with exposed wiring, and electrical tape. After the initial assessment, Boston police shut down the northbound side of I-93 and parts of the public transportation system. Just after 10&nbsp;a.m., the bomb squad used a small explosive filled with water to destroy the device as a precaution. MBTA Transit police Lieutenant Salvatore Venturelli told the media at the scene, "This is a perfect example of our passengers taking part in [[homeland security]]." He refused to describe the object in detail because of the ongoing investigation, responding only that "It's not consistent with equipment that would be there normally."  Investigators were trying to determine "if it was a hoax or something else entirely", according to Venturelli.<ref name="suspicious object removed" /> Northbound I-93 reopened to traffic about 10:05&nbsp;a.m. By 10:21&nbsp;a.m., the police timeline reported it as "some sort of hoax device".<ref name="BPD" />

At 12:54&nbsp;p.m., Boston police received a call identifying another device located at the intersection of Stuart and [[Charles Street (Boston)|Charles Street]].<ref name="BPD" /> At 1:11&nbsp;p.m., the [[Massachusetts State Police]] requested assistance from the bomb squad with devices found under the [[Longfellow Bridge|Longfellow]] and [[Boston University Bridge|Boston University]] bridges.<ref name="BPD" /> Both bridges were closed as a precaution, and the [[United States Coast Guard|Coast Guard]] closed the river to boat traffic.<ref>{{cite news|title=Man held after ad campaign triggers Boston bomb scare |url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/01/31/boston.bombscare/index.html |date=February 1, 2007 |access-date=February 2, 2007 |publisher=CNN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100827192119/http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/01/31/boston.bombscare/index.html |archive-date=August 27, 2010 |url-status=live |df=mdy }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Security alert shuts Boston's Charles River |date=January 31, 2007 | publisher= Reuters }}</ref>

At 1:26&nbsp;p.m., friends of Peter Berdovsky received an email from him, which alleged that five hours into the scare, an Interference Inc. executive requested Berdovsky to "keep everything on the [[wikt:down low|dl]]".<ref name="BGTB" /> Later, Travis Vautour, a friend of Berdovsky, confirmed that he would be staying quiet while the situation was being reported.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=2841646&page=1 |title=As Boston Reeled, Was Artist Asked to Keep Quiet? |last=Silverstein |first=Jonathan |work=ABC News |date=February 2, 2007 |access-date=February 2, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101205154935/http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=2841646&page=1 |archive-date=December 5, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Two hours later, Interference notified their client, [[Cartoon Network]].<ref name="BGTB" /> Between 2 and 3&nbsp;p.m., a police analyst identified the image on the devices as an ''Aqua Teen Hunger Force'' cartoon character, and police concluded the incident was a publicity stunt.<ref name="BG" /> [[Turner Broadcasting System]] issued a statement concerning the event around 4:30&nbsp;p.m.<ref name="BG" /> Portions of the Turner statement stated that they regretted the devices being mistaken for danger, and assured that they were not. They further clarified that they were part of an outdoor marketing campaign in 10 cities to promote Adult Swim's animated television show ''Aqua Teen Hunger Force''. They also said that they had been in place for two to three weeks in Boston, New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, [[Atlanta]], [[Seattle]], [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]], [[Austin, Texas|Austin]], San Francisco, and [[Philadelphia]]. Parent company Turner Broadcasting was in contact with local and federal law enforcement on the exact locations of the billboards.<ref name="TBS1">{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/01/31/TBS.statement/index.html |title=Statement from Turner Broadcasting Co. |access-date=February 2, 2007 |last=Powell |first=Shirley |date=January 31, 2007 |work=CNN |publisher=TBS Corporate Communications |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100812102946/http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/01/31/TBS.statement/index.html |archive-date=August 12, 2010 |url-status=live |df=mdy }}</ref>

Some devices had been up for two weeks in the cities listed before the Boston incident occurred, although no installation permits were ever secured.<ref name="TBS1" /> Berdovsky and Stevens were arrested by Boston police during the evening of January 31, and charged with violating Chapter 266: Section 102A{{frac|2}} of the [[General Laws of Massachusetts]], which states that it is illegal to display a "hoax device" with the motive to cause citizens to feel threatened, unsafe, and concerned.<ref name="arrest"/><ref name="hoax law">{{cite journal|title=Possession, transportation, use or placement of hoax devices |journal=The General Laws of Massachusetts |issue=Chapter 266: Section 102A1/2 |url=http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/266-102a.5.htm |access-date=February 1, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070203104650/https://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/266-102a.5.htm |archive-date=February 3, 2007 |url-status=live |df=mdy }}</ref>

===Reactions===
[[File:Hello on a Lite-Brite.jpg|thumb|An example of a Lite-Brite toy, which had been compared to the devices by many at the time]]
News about the situation quickly spread around residents and the news. ''The Boston Globe'' stated that the "marketing gambit exposes a wide generation gap", quoting one 29-year-old blogger, writing, "Repeat after me, authorities. L-E-D. Not [[Improvised explosive device|I-E-D]]. Get it?"<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/02/01/marketing_gambit_exposes_a_wide_generation_gap/ |title=Marketing gambit exposes a wide generation gap |work=The Boston Globe |date=February 1, 2007 |access-date=February 2, 2007 |last=Levenson |first=Michael |author2=Cramer, Maria |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110316073236/http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/02/01/marketing_gambit_exposes_a_wide_generation_gap/ |archive-date=March 16, 2011 |url-status=live |df=mdy }}</ref> The ''Brainiac'' blog earned praise from other media outlets for its timely coverage of events, even as the paper continued to report on simply "suspicious objects".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thephoenix.com/article_ektid33334.aspx |title=Mooninite media mash-up |work=[[Boston Phoenix]] |date=February 7, 2007 |access-date=April 18, 2007 |last=Reilly |first=Adam |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080708234258/http://thephoenix.com/article_ektid33334.aspx |archive-date=July 8, 2008 |url-status=live |df=mdy }}</ref>

''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' editorials derided the reaction of Boston's officials, remarking, "Emergency personnel and anti-terrorism squads shut down more than a dozen highways, transit stations, and other locations across the city Wednesday after receiving reports about multiple suspicious devices." They also went on to describe the devices, stating that they "had dozens of colored lights, exposed wires, and circuitry, and were powered by a row of D batteries wrapped in black tape." They also compared the devices to a bigger version of [[Hasbro]]'s Lite-Brite, referring to the Lite-Brites as "a toy for artistic grade schoolers."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-ed-boston03feb03,0,5379741.story?coll=la-opinion-leftrail |title=Full of beans |access-date=August 24, 2011 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=February 3, 2007 |archive-date=March 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303012259/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-feb-03-ed-boston03-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Bruce Schneier]] summed up the incident as a "non-terrorist embarrassment in Boston".<ref>[http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2007/02/nonterrorist_em.html Schneier on Security: Non-Terrorist Embarrassment in Boston] February 1, 2007 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525043645/http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2007/02/nonterrorist_em.html |date=May 25, 2011 }}</ref>

''[[The Boston Herald]]'' stated that part of the reaction in the response could be blamed on two packages that did not blink. According to Boston Police Commissioner [[Edward F. Davis|Ed Davis]], phony pipe bombs were also discovered that day, one inside [[Tufts Medical Center|Tufts-New England Medical Center]] at 1&nbsp;p.m. A security guard described "an agitated white male" fleeing saying, "God is warning you that today is going to be a sad day." The ''Herald'' went on to characterize the placement of the devices as a "coordinated hoax". Davis also mentioned other incidents of the day that may have influenced the reaction, including a [[Washington Metro|Washington, D.C. metro]] stop being shut down due to a suspected package, and fumes emanating from a package at a post office in New York City, resulting in four people being treated there. "It was almost like we had a kind of [[perfect storm]] of circumstances falling into place", Davis said.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/bostonherald/access/1209646381.html?dids=1209646381:1209646381&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Feb+2%2C+2007&author=PETER+GELZINIS&pub=Boston+Herald&edition=&startpage=4&desc=PRANKS+A+LOT!+%3B+Phony+threat+escalated+real+danger+in+hoax |title=PRANKS A LOT! ; Phony threat escalated real danger in hoax (Archives) |access-date=July 24, 2008 |publisher=[[Boston Herald]] |first=Peter |last=Gelzinis |date=February 2, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090314003903/https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/bostonherald/access/1209646381.html?dids=1209646381%3A1209646381&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS%3AFT&date=Feb%2B2%2C%2B2007&author=PETER%2BGELZINIS&pub=Boston%2BHerald&edition=&startpage=4&desc=PRANKS%2BA%2BLOT%21%2B%3B%2BPhony%2Bthreat%2Bescalated%2Breal%2Bdanger%2Bin%2Bhoax |archive-date=March 14, 2009 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

The advertising magazine ''[[Brandweek]]'' said that the incident, which they labeled a fiasco, would cause marketers to "steer clear of [[Guerrilla marketing|guerrilla]] tactics until the controversy around the ''Aqua Teen Hunger Force'' stunt-turned-bomb-scare in Boston dies down". It further said that the incident "will no doubt be followed by a reassessment of the potential price of what used to be known as a low-cost method to generate buzz".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.brandweek.com/bw/news/recent_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003541692|title=Guerrilla Marketing Arena Soiled By 'Aqua Teen' Fiasco|access-date=August 24, 2011 |publisher=Brandweek | date=February 5, 2007|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20070515064238/http://www.brandweek.com/bw/news/recent_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003541692 |archive-date=May 15, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

According to [[Fox News]], fans of ''Aqua Teen Hunger Force'' mocked Boston officials during the press conference of Berdovsky and Stevens, calling the arrests an overreaction, while holding signs supporting the actions of the two. These signs had slogans such as "Free Peter" and "1-31-07 Never Forget", satirizing Mayor [[Thomas Menino|Tom Menino]]'s mentions of [[September 11 attacks|9/11]].<ref>{{cite news | author = <!--not stated--> | date = 2015-01-13 | orig-date = 2 February 2007 | title = Suspects Refuse to Answer Questions on Botched 'Aqua Teen' Marketing Scheme | url = https://www.foxnews.com/story/suspects-refuse-to-answer-questions-on-botched-aqua-teen-marketing-scheme | url-status = live | work = [[Fox News]] | language = en-us | location = Boston | agency = [[Associated Press]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220512142327/https://www.foxnews.com/story/suspects-refuse-to-answer-questions-on-botched-aqua-teen-marketing-scheme | archive-date = 2022-05-12 | access-date = 2022-05-12 | quote = "It is outrageous, in a post 9/11 world, that a company would use this type of marketing scheme," Menino said Wednesday. "I am prepared to take any and all legal action against Turner Broadcasting and its affiliates for any and all expenses incurred during the response to today's incidents." [...] About a dozen fans gathered outside Charlestown District Court on Thursday morning with signs saying "1-31-07 Never Forget" and "Free Peter." | df = dmy-all }}</ref> Newspapers quoted local residents, including "We all thought it was pretty funny", "The majority of us recognize the difference between a bomb and a Lite-Brite",<ref>[http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/homepage/8998960763112521727 Blown out of proportion] Feb 2, 2007 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070206034343/http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/homepage/8998960763112521727 |date=February 6, 2007 }}</ref> and that the police's response was "silly and insane ... we're the laughingstock".<ref>[https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna16931200 Many young Bostonians think city overreacted: 'We're the laughingstock,' resident says after cartoon signs prompt scare]  Feb 1, 2007 [https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna16931200]</ref> ''[[Something Positive]]'', a [[webcomic]] written and drawn by [[Waltham, Massachusetts|Waltham]] resident [[R. K. Milholland]], also weighed in on the issue.<ref name="Something Positive">{{cite web|url=https://somethingpositive.net/comic/oh-no-lights/ |title=''Something Positive'' for February 1, 2007 |access-date=February 3, 2007 |last=Milholland |first=R. K. |author-link=R. K. Milholland |date=February 1, 2007 |work=[[Something Positive]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110209185000/http://somethingpositive.net/sp02012007.shtml |archive-date=February 9, 2011 |url-status=live |df=mdy }}</ref>

Karl Carter of Atlanta-based Guerrilla Tactics Media said only fans of ''Aqua Teen Hunger Force'' would recognize the characters or think it was funny. He said, "This is probably better set up for nightclubs and other sorts of scenarios where the people that are receiving the message, one, would know what it's about, but also two, wouldn't be frightened. You know, if you put these in certain environments, like public spaces in this [[post-9/11]] sensitivity, then of course you're going to wind up in trouble." ''[[Make (magazine)|Make]]'' magazine editor Phillip Torrone said that the advertisers should have used better judgment, but called it a "neat electronic project".<ref>[http://edition.cnn.com/2007/US/02/02/buzz.marketing/ Boston stunt creates PR buzz saw instead of buzz]  February 5, 2007 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522060859/http://edition.cnn.com/2007/US/02/02/buzz.marketing/ |date=May 22, 2011 }}</ref> ''[[Boing Boing]]'' reported that the media and the State of Massachusetts insisted on using the words "bomb hoax", despite firm contentions by Turner Broadcasting Systems that the devices were not intended to resemble bombs and the company had no intent to arouse suspicion or panic in approving the advertising campaign.<ref>[http://boingboing.net/2007/02/02/state_of_massachuset.html State of Massachusetts insists on calling ATHF ads "hoax devices"] February 2, 2007 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070205043129/https://boingboing.net/2007/02/02/state_of_massachuset.html |date=February 5, 2007 }}</ref>

On February 27, 2007, a month after the incident, the Boston police bomb squad detonated another suspected bomb, which turned out to be a city-owned [[traffic counter]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wbztv.com/local/local_story_059122735.html|title=Police Blow Up Suspicious Device In Boston|publisher=[[WBZ-TV]]|date=February 28, 2007|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070320141342/http://wbztv.com/local/local_story_059122735.html |archive-date = March 20, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> On March 18, 2007, at the annual [[St. Patrick's Day]] Breakfast in [[South Boston]], Massachusetts, politicians joked about the panic over the Mooninite devices. Tom Menino, the mayor who had compared the devices to 9/11, said that it was a good way to obtain a local aid package for the city, referring to the $1 million in "good faith money for homeland security" that Cartoon Network paid the city of Boston to avoid a lawsuit. Congressman [[Stephen Lynch (politician)|Stephen Lynch]] joked that the Mooninites were part of a sleeper cell including [[SpongeBob SquarePants (character)|SpongeBob SquarePants]] and [[Scrappy-Doo]]. State Treasurer [[Timothy P. Cahill]] held up a picture of a Mooninite with [[Mitt Romney]]'s face on it, saying "We had to blur out his real feelings about Massachusetts."<ref>live CW56 broadcast of the St. Patrick's Day Breakfast, March 18, 2007</ref>

===Aftermath===
On February 5, 2007, state and local agencies came to an agreement with both Turner Broadcasting and Interference, Inc., to pay for costs incurred in the incident. As part of the settlement, which resolves any potential civil or criminal claims against the companies, Turner and Interference agreed to pay $2 million: $1 million to go to the Boston Police Department and $1 million to the [[Department of Homeland Security]]. This was in addition to the companies' apologies, which local authorities deemed too little as announced by [[Dan Conley]], [[district attorney]] for [[Suffolk County, Massachusetts]], in a speech on [[NECN]], saying the people who are responsible for this "[[Recklessness (law)|reckless]] stunt" are [[liable]] for the havoc it caused to both the city and the region.<ref name="$2million" />

On February 9, 2007, the week after the panic, Cartoon Network's general manager and executive vice president, [[Jim Samples]], resigned "in recognition of the gravity of the situation that occurred under my watch", and with the "hope that my decision allows us to put this chapter behind us and get back to our mission of delivering unrivaled original animated entertainment for consumers of all ages".<ref name="CNNMONEY">{{cite news|author=Byron, Katy |author2=Kelley, Rob |title=Cartoon Network boss quits over bomb scare |url=https://money.cnn.com/2007/02/09/news/newsmakers/cartoon_network |work=[[CNNMoney]].com |date=February 9, 2007 |access-date=December 13, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070211191250/http://money.cnn.com/2007/02/09/news/newsmakers/cartoon_network/ |archive-date=February 11, 2007 |url-status=live |df=mdy }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Weber |first=Harry R. |date=February 10, 2007 |title=Cartoon Network Head Resigns After Scare |work=ABC News |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=2863647 |url-status=dead |access-date=August 24, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070403040220/https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=2863647 |archive-date=April 3, 2007}}</ref> [[List of presidents of Cartoon Network#Stuart Snyder (2007–2014)|Stuart Snyder]] was named his successor.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Romano |first=Allison |date=October 21, 2007 |title=Stuart Snyder: The Perfect Combination |url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/110859-Stuart_Snyder_The_Perfect_Combination.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728083915/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/110859-Stuart_Snyder_The_Perfect_Combination.php |archive-date=July 28, 2013 |access-date=2010-08-13 |website=Broadcasting & Cable}}</ref>

In total, ten cities were involved in the marketing campaign, which began two to three weeks before the incident. The [[New York City Police Department|NYPD]] contacted Interference, Inc., to request a list of 41 locations where the devices were installed.<ref name="APNY">{{Cite news |last=Toosi |first=Nathal |date=February 1, 2007 |title=Boston publicity stunt sets off activity in New York |work=Daily News |agency=Associated Press |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/493858p-415985c.html |url-status=dead |access-date=February 3, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070203045435/http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/493858p-415985c.html |archive-date=February 3, 2007 |df=mdy}}</ref> Officers were able to locate and remove only two devices, both located near 33rd Street and [[West Side Highway]] at the [[High Line]] overpass.<ref name="APNY" /> The NYPD did not receive any complaints about the devices, according to police spokesman Paul Brown.<ref name="APNY" /> At 9:30&nbsp;p.m., on the evening of January 31, the [[Chicago Police Department]] received a list of installation locations from Interference, Inc.<ref name="Chi">{{Cite news |last=Fitzsimmons |first=Emma Graves |date=February 2, 2007 |title=Cops not laughing at signs |work=Chicago Tribune |publisher=Tribune Company}}</ref> Police recovered and disposed of 20 of the 35 devices. Police Superintendent Philip Cline admonished those responsible for the campaign, stating, "one of the devices could have easily been mistaken for a bomb and set off enough panic to alarm the entire city".<ref name="Chi" /> Cline went on to say that, on February 1, he asked Turner Broadcasting to reimburse the city for funds spent on locating and disposing of the devices.<ref name="Chi" />

The King County Sheriff's spokesman [[John Urquhart (sheriff)|John Urquhart]] stated, "In this day and age, whenever anything remotely suspicious shows up, people get concerned—and that's good. However, people don't need to be concerned about this. These are cartoon characters giving the finger."<ref name="only Boston panicked AP">{{Cite news |date=February 2, 2007 |title='Aqua Teen' appeared in nine cities, only Boston panicked |work=azcentral.com |agency=Associated Press}}</ref>

Interference, Inc., hired two people to distribute twenty devices throughout Philadelphia on January 11.<ref name="Phi">{{Cite news |last=Maykuth |first=Andrew |date=February 2, 2007 |title=Cartoon caper shows up here, but nobody's laughing |work=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer|Philadelphia Inquirer]]}}</ref> One of these was Ryan, a 24-year-old from [[Fishtown, Philadelphia|Fishtown]], who claimed that he was promised $300 for installing the devices, only 18 of which were actually functional.<ref name="Phi" /> Following the scare in Boston, the [[Philadelphia Police Department]] recovered three of the 18 devices. Joe Grace, spokesman for Philadelphia Mayor [[John F. Street]], said, "We think it was a stupid, regrettable, irresponsible stunt by Turner. We do not take kindly to it."<ref name="Phi" /> A cease-and-desist letter was sent to Turner, threatening fines for violating zoning codes.<ref name="Phi2">{{Cite news |date=February 1, 2007 |title=Police: Phila. had 56 devices like Boston's panic-causers |work=Philadelphia Inquirer |agency=Associated Press}}</ref>

No devices were retrieved in Los Angeles and Lieutenant Paul Vernon of the [[Los Angeles Police Department]] stated that "no one perceived them as a threat".<ref name="LAT">{{Cite news |last=Blankstein |first=Andrew |date=February 1, 2007 |title=Devices placed in Boston also intended for L.A. |newspaper=LA Times}}</ref> The many Los Angeles signs were up without incident for more than two weeks prior to the Boston scare. Police Sergeant Brian Schmautz stated that officers in Portland had not been dispatched to remove the devices, and did not plan to unless they were found on municipal property. He added, "At this point, we wouldn't even begin an investigation, because there's no reason to believe a crime has occurred."<ref name="CNN" /> A device was placed inside 11th Ave. Liquor on Hawthorne Boulevard in Portland, where it remains. San Francisco Police Sergeant Neville Gittens said that Interference, Inc., was removing them, except for one found by art gallery owner Jamie Alexander, who reportedly "thought it was cool" and had it taken down after it ceased to function.<ref name="SFC">{{Cite news |last=Bulwa |first=Demian |date=February 1, 2007 |title=Calmer reaction in S.F. – 'I thought it was cool' |work=San Francisco Chronicle |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/02/01/MNGI8NSQTP1.DTL&hw=art+gallery+device&sn=002&sc=749 |url-status=dead |access-date=February 7, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525103944/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/02/01/MNGI8NSQTP1.DTL&hw=art+gallery+device&sn=002&sc=749 |archive-date=May 25, 2011}}</ref>

Berdovsky and Stevens were arrested on the day of the incident and charged with placing a hoax device to incite panic, a felony charge that carries a five-year maximum sentence, and one count of disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor.<ref name="hoax law" /> Both pleaded not guilty to the two charges and were later released on a $2,500 cash bond.<ref name="BGTB" /> At their arraignment, Assistant Attorney General John Grossman claimed that the two were trying to "get attention by causing fear and unrest that there was a bomb in that location".<ref name="CBS-AP">{{Cite news |last=Serrano |first=Alfonso |date=February 1, 2007 |title=Publicity Stunt Suspects Released |work=[[CBS News]] |agency=[[CBS News]] / [[Associated Press]] |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/publicity-stunt-suspects-released/ |access-date=December 24, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225044909/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/publicity-stunt-suspects-released/ |archive-date=December 25, 2014}}</ref> Michael Rich, the lawyer representing both men, disputed Grossman's claim, asserting that even a [[videocassette recorder|VCR]] could be found to fit the description of a bomb-like device.<ref name="CBS-AP" /> Judge Leary said that it would be necessary for the prosecution to demonstrate an intent on the part of the suspects to cause a panic. The judge continued, "It appears the suspects had no such intent ... but the question should be discussed in a later hearing."<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 2, 2007 |title=Two plead not guilty to Boston hoax charges |publisher=[[CNN]] |url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/02/01/boston.bombscare/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070203050621/http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/02/01/boston.bombscare/ |archive-date=February 3, 2007}}</ref>

On March 1, 2007, Senator [[Ted Kennedy|Edward Kennedy]], D-MA, introduced S.735, "The Terrorist Hoax Improvements Act of 2007". Its amendments include these:
{{blockquote|the federal criminal code to: (1) extend the prohibition against conveying false information and hoaxes to any federal crime of terrorism; (2) increase maximum prison terms for hoaxes involving a member of the Armed Forces during war; (3) allow a civil remedy for damages resulting from hoaxes perpetrated by an individual who later fails to provide accurate information to investigating authorities about the actual nature of the incident; and (4) extend the prohibition against mailing threatening communications to include corporations or governmental entities (as well as individuals).<ref>{{Cite web |title=S.735 - Terrorist Hoax Improvements Act of 2007 |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/senate-bill/735/text |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915162458/https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/senate-bill/735/text |archive-date=September 15, 2018 |access-date=September 16, 2019 |website=Congress.gov |date=May 4, 2007 |publisher=US Senate}}</ref>}} The bill never came to a vote.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Terrorist Hoax Improvements Act of 2007 (2007 - S. 735) |url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/110/s735 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081019181635/http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s110-735 |archive-date=October 19, 2008 |website=GovTrack.us}}</ref>

On May 11, 2007, prosecutors decided not to pursue criminal charges against Berdovsky and Stevens, in exchange for community service and a public apology. Attorney General [[Martha Coakley]] cited the difficulty in proving intent to incite panic on the part of the two men and called the deal "an appropriate and fair resolution". Berdovsky and Stevens completed 80 and 60 hours of community service at the Spaulding Rehabilitation Center in Boston, respectively.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 11, 2007 |title=Pair Charged In Marketing Stunt Reach Plea Deal |publisher=WBZ-TV |agency=Associated Press |url=http://wbztv.com/topstories/Peter.Berdovsky.Sean.2.587093.html |access-date=December 19, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071224143841/http://wbztv.com/topstories/Peter.Berdovsky.Sean.2.587093.html |archive-date=December 24, 2007}}</ref> The incident prompted opportunists to acquire the promotional devices from other cities and auction them on [[eBay]], with prices ranging from $500 to more than $5,000.<ref name="ebay">{{Cite web |last=Roberts |first=Paul |date=February 1, 2007 |title=Bids for Boston bomb scare promo top $5,000 |url=http://weblog.infoworld.com/techwatch/archives/010023.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070210222848/http://weblog.infoworld.com/techwatch/archives/010023.html |archive-date=February 10, 2007 |access-date=February 3, 2007 |website=InfoWorld Tech Watch |publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]] |df=mdy-all}}</ref>

An ''Aqua Teen Hunger Force'' episode from [[Aqua Teen Hunger Force (season 5)|season five]] titled "Boston" was produced as the series creators' response to the bomb scare, but Adult Swim canceled it to avoid further controversy. The unfinished episode was later leaked online in January 2015.<ref name="Geek.com"/> However, the episode was referenced in the Season 5 DVD sleeve, as a Mooninite appears in it, dressed as [[Osama bin Laden]].

==Historical legacy==
[[File:Bruce Schneier at CoPS2013-IMG 9178.jpg|thumb|Bruce Schneier wrote about the incident in his book, ''Schneier on Security'', which was released in 2009]]
Gregory Bergman wrote in his 2008 book ''BizzWords'' that the devices were "essentially homemade Lite-Brites".<ref name="gregorybergman" /> Bergman concluded: "That this occurred in Boston, home to Harvard, MIT, and other famous schools of learning, is embarrassing."<ref name="gregorybergman">{{cite book|first=Gregory|last=Bergman|year=2008|title=BizzWords|page=163|isbn= 978-1598694727|publisher=Adams Media}}</ref> [[Bruce Schneier]] wrote in his 2009 book ''Schneier on Security'' that Boston officials were "ridiculed" for their overreaction to the incident.<ref name="schneieronsecurity">{{cite book|first=Bruce|last=Schneier|author-link=Bruce Schneier|title=Schneier on Security|publisher=Wiley Publishing|isbn=978-0470505625|year=2009|chapter=CYA Security}}</ref> Schneier wrote, "Almost no one looked beyond the finger pointing and jeering to discuss exactly why the Boston authorities overreacted so badly. They overreacted because the signs were weird."<ref name="schneieronsecurity" /> "But if a weird device with blinking lights and wires turned out to be a bomb—what every movie bomb looks like—there would be inquiries and demands for resignations. It took the police two weeks to notice the Mooninite blinkies, but once they did, they overreacted because their jobs were at stake."[https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2007/02/cya_security_1.html]  Schneier characterized this as a form of "[[Cover your ass|Cover Your Ass]]" security.<ref name="schneieronsecurity" />[https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2007/02/cya_security_1.html]

In his 2009 book ''Secret Agents'', historian and communication professor Jeremy Packer discussed a phenomenon in culture called the "panic discourse" and described the incident as a "spectacular instance of this panic".<ref name="jeremypacker" /> Packer stated that the discovery of the lightboards prompted "a city government and media panic".<ref name="jeremypacker">{{cite book|first=Jeremy|last=Packer|pages=144–145, 158|title=Secret Agents|year=2009|isbn=978-0820486697|publisher=Peter Lang Publishing}}</ref>

''[[The Boston Phoenix]]'' published a 2012 retrospective and interviewed Zebbler for his thoughts on its place in history.<ref name="mooninitepanic">{{cite news|work=[[The Boston Phoenix]]|title=Remembering the Great Mooninite Panic of 2007|access-date=September 20, 2015|date=January 31, 2012|url=http://blog.thephoenix.com/BLOGS/phlog/archive/2012/01/31/five-years-after-the-mooninites-invaded-boston-zebbler-looks-back.aspx|archive-date=March 17, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317211451/http://blog.thephoenix.com/BLOGS/phlog/archive/2012/01/31/five-years-after-the-mooninites-invaded-boston-zebbler-looks-back.aspx|first=Barry|last=Thompson}}</ref> ''The Boston Phoenix'' called the incident the "Great Mooninite Panic of 2007".<ref name="mooninitepanic" /> The publication concluded that the city of Boston was impacted due to its government being "oblivious" to the Mooninite character from [[popular culture]].<ref name="mooninitepanic" /> Zebbler thought that history would not be likely to repeat itself with a similar event and surmised that marketing agencies would instead be more apt to first contact law enforcement to get permission for such an event.<ref name="mooninitepanic" />

Six years after the incident, [[WGBH (FM)|WGBH]] published an article reflecting on law enforcement reaction.<ref name="sixyears">{{cite news|url=https://www.wgbh.org/news/post/mooninite-invasion-boston-6-years-later|access-date=May 10, 2020|date=January 31, 2013|title=The Mooninite Invasion of Boston, 6 Years Later|work=WGBH News|agency=[[WGBH (FM)|WGBH]]|first=Kinne|last=Chapin|archive-date=May 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200511032636/https://www.wgbh.org/news/post/mooninite-invasion-boston-6-years-later}}</ref> WGBH was critical of the government's response, observing: "What was the fallout from the scare? Both local and national media outlets derided Boston Law enforcement for failing to recognize a PR stunt gone wrong. Many young Bostonians felt the arrest of Zebbler and Stevens was an overreaction."<ref name="sixyears" /> The article quoted a student who pointed out the vast proportion of individuals were successfully able to determine the difference between a Lite-Brite children's toy and a bomb.<ref name="sixyears" />

WGBH requested a reflective comment in 2013 from Zebbler, and he stated that he thought the government's overreaction was a greater symptom of the American culture during that time period.<ref name="sixyears" /> Zebbler said that he would take part in a subsequent [[guerilla marketing]] event if there was a benevolent motivation behind it.<ref name="sixyears" />

[[File:2008 Menino mayor Boston Massachusetts.jpg|thumb|Thomas M. Menino, then-mayor of the city of Boston]]
The City of Boston hired Zebbler for its 2014 New Year's celebrations to create a light show, paying him $50,000 for his services.<ref name="morganrousseau">{{cite news|url=http://www.metro.us/local/zebbler-mooninite-scare-artist-selected-to-stage-50-000-first-night-centerpiece-metro-us/tmWmkt---8fBbhJad1ps/|access-date=September 20, 2015|date=November 20, 2013|work=Metro.us|title=Zebbler: Mooninite scare artist selected to stage $50,000 First Night centerpiece|first=Morgan|last=Rousseau|archive-date=September 20, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150920010858/http://www.metro.us/local/zebbler-mooninite-scare-artist-selected-to-stage-50-000-first-night-centerpiece-metro-us/tmWmkt---8fBbhJad1ps/}}</ref> Zebbler said that it was an honor to be selected and help bring unity to the city.<ref name="morganrousseau" /> Zebbler's light show production was the centerpiece of the 2014 Boston First Night event held in [[Copley Square]].<ref name="tenleywoodman">{{cite news|first=Tenley|last=Woodman|work=[[Boston Herald]]|title=Artist from 2007 bomb scare headlining First Night|access-date=September 20, 2015|url=http://www.bostonherald.com/news_opinion/local_coverage/2013/11/artist_from_2007_bomb_scare_headlining_first_night|date=November 20, 2013|archive-date=November 22, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131122164406/http://bostonherald.com/news_opinion/local_coverage/2013/11/artist_from_2007_bomb_scare_headlining_first_night}}</ref> When interviewed by the ''[[Boston Herald]]'' about the choice of Zebbler for the 2014 First Night, Boston Mayor [[Thomas M. Menino]] said, "We're a forgiving city."<ref name="meninodefends">{{cite news|access-date=September 20, 2015|archive-date=December 24, 2013|url=http://www.bostonherald.com/herald_radio/2013/11/menino_defends_hire_of_bomb_scare_artist_for_first_night|work=[[Boston Herald]]|first=Joe|last=Battenfeld|date=November 20, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224163144/http://bostonherald.com/herald_radio/2013/11/menino_defends_hire_of_bomb_scare_artist_for_first_night|title=Menino defends hire of bomb scare artist for First Night}}</ref> Attorney General [[Martha Coakley]] also said that paying Zebbler for the light production in 2014 was a good choice.<ref name="meninodefends" /> She defended the actions of law enforcement from 2007, stating: "This was several years ago now. Those two young men had been hired by a company to do some guerrilla advertising. At the time, particularly in its proximity to 9/11, I think the City and Boston Police were very concerned. I think we responded appropriately at the time, but I think we also saw the company immediately make compensation to the City of Boston and to the Boston Police for the efforts involved."<ref name="meninodefends" />

On January 31, 2022, fifteen years after the incident, the official Adult Swim account on [[Twitter]] poked fun at the event and included an image of Ignignokt giving the middle finger with text that reads "1-31-2007 NEVER FORGET".<ref name="Polygon15YearsLater">{{cite web|last=Grossman|first=David|url=https://www.polygon.com/22910754/aqua-teen-hunger-mooninites-boston-bomb-scare|title=Aqua Teen Hunger Force sparked a bizarre Boston bomb scare 15 years ago today|website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|date=January 31, 2022}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Ahmed Mohamed clock incident]]
* [[Alarmism]]
* [[Collective behavior]]
* [[Crowd psychology]]
* [[Herd behavior]]
* [[Social mania]]
* [[Boston Marathon bombing]]
* [[National Terrorism Advisory System]]
* [[If you see something, say something]] (post 9/11 public safety slogan)

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite news|url=http://wgbhnews.org/post/mooninite-invasion-boston-6-years-later|access-date=September 20, 2015|date=January 31, 2013|title=The Mooninite Invasion of Boston, 6 Years Later|work=WGBH News|agency=[[WGBH (FM)|WGBH]]|first=Kinne|last=Chapin|archive-date=July 31, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140731012118/http://wgbhnews.org/post/mooninite-invasion-boston-6-years-later}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130420211754/http://zebbler.com/friends/ATHF/ATHFZebblerMission1websm.mov Berdovsky's movie about the marketing campaign]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071202161109/http://www.bluemassgroup.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=6145 Initial coverage & discussion on Blue Mass Group]
{{Boston Police Department}}{{Boston Fire Department|state=autocollapse}}
{{Aqua Teen Hunger Force}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Boston Bomb Scare}}
[[Category:2007 in Boston]]
[[Category:2007 controversies in the United States]]
[[Category:January 2007 in the United States]]
[[Category:Aqua Teen Hunger Force]]
[[Category:Advertising campaigns]]
[[Category:Advertising and marketing controversies in film]]
[[Category:Boston Police Department]]
[[Category:Graffiti in the United States]]
[[Category:Scandals in the United States]]
[[Category:Scares]]
[[Category:Adult Swim]]
[[Category:Animation controversies in television]]
[[Category:Animated film controversies]]
[[Category:Television controversies in the United States]]
[[Category:Turner Broadcasting System]]