15 years ago: Marketing campaign triggers panic in Boston

BOSTON — Where were you 15 years ago today?

If you happened to be near a television or radio in Boston, you may recall the panic caused by a lighted “Mooninite’ signs.

It was January 31. 2007 when highways, bridges and some transit stations around Boston were closed by a terror scare that turned out to be nothing more than a guerrilla marketing campaign.

The panic was caused by two artists who placed about three dozen lighted signs of a cartoon character called a “Mooninite” making an obscene gesture in and around the city.

The signs were promotions for the series “Aqua Teen Hunger Force.” But they prompted a massive law enforcement response.

Two men were arrested, however prosecutors agreed not to pursue criminal charges against them after the pair performed community service and gave a public apology in court.