The Tempe Tavern in Tempe, Arizona, recently found itself in hot water after making a controversial comparison between a massive underage drinking bust and the September 11 terror attacks. The bar faced backlash for a now-deleted Facebook post that joked about the raid, referring to it as “our 9/11.” The post also advertised tee shirts with “#TavernStrong” on one side and an American flag with “our 911” on the other.
The raid, which took place on April 24, resulted in the detention of 173 individuals and the issuance of 163 misdemeanor citations by the Tempe Police Department. It was reported to be one of the largest underage drinking busts in the city’s history. The police department emphasized that the crackdown was aimed at curbing underage drinking and sending a clear message to the community.
While some Arizona State University students defended the bar on social media, many locals condemned the underage drinking and criticized the insensitive comparison to 9/11. One commenter on the ASU Reddit page expressed disbelief at the lack of understanding among students about the significance of the tragic event. Another commenter highlighted the offensiveness of the comparison, especially for those directly affected by the 9/11 attacks.
The Tempe Tavern later issued a statement attributing the controversial Facebook post to a younger staff member who lacked an understanding of the gravity of the 9/11 tragedy. The bar clarified that the post was originally created and shared by a student unaffiliated with the business. The bar acknowledged the inappropriateness of the reference to 9/11 and disavowed the tee shirts, stating that they are not for sale.
Despite receiving a citation for exceeding maximum capacity on the night of the raid, the Tempe Tavern could face additional penalties from the Arizona Department of Liquor & License Control. The bar declined to comment on the raid but assured that the 9/11 shirts would not be sold. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of sensitivity and respect when referencing tragic events in public discourse.
