On Saturday, May 31st 2008, thousands of London residents poured into the tube stations to celebrate one last night of drinking alcohol on the underground train network. Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, issued an alcohol ban on all Tube, bus, DRL and tram services that came into effect on Sunday. Any open container on the service lines leads to an ejection since the issued ban needs a year to become a law. In response to the ban, organizers promoted a mass celebration through Facebook and other social networking sites which urged people to meet at Liverpool station around 8:30 for a Circle Line adventure. This quickly spread to other stations such as Euston, Euston Square, Aldgate, Gloucester Road and Baker Street which were later closed due to violence. Many groups dressed up in costume, wore blonde wigs to mock Boris Johnson, and consumed large amounts of alcohol during the celebration. Trains were damaged, rail workers were assaulted, and police were taunted as the party struggled to go on through the midnight ban. Six stations were closed and 17 people were arrested throughout the night. The event did become rowdy by the end of the night as police cars were slashed and police officers were assaulted. Boris Johnson’s attempts to battle anti-social behavior backfired in his face as rail union workers claimed that his decision was rash and the minimum wages of rail staff did not suffice the torment they had been through. I particularly think the ban is a disgrace and violation of rights. When I lived in London for five months, alcohol was a staple on the trains before traveling to your destination for the night. Many party-goers were usually tame and respectful of others on the Tube. The response on May 31st seemed fun and interesting despite some rowdy citizens who ruined the significance of that night. In New York, I am still legally allowed to drink open containers on the Long Island Railroad trains which are prone to acts of drunken behavior going in and out of New York City. Although drinking in New York subways are illegal, a big part of the London culture is having the freedom to drink on a Tube after work, on the way to the bar, or with your friends since it is a common social activity. Although Londoners will abide by this ban, it will surely disappoint many in a great city where no alcohol can add to the gloom on a rainy day.
Here is a video from that night courtesy of CSProductions:
