Super Bowl Alcohol Ban? SF Mayor Cautious Over 49ers vs Ravens NFL Game
A Super Bowl alcohol ban was reportedly called for by San Francisco mayor, Ed Lee, according to some reports earlier Friday, as the San Francisco 49ers prepare to take on the Baltimore Ravens in next weekend's finale to the NFL season. It was later clarified that he had in fact called for a limiting of alcohol rather than an outright ban, but that seemed to do little to quieten fans outraged at the suggestion.
Lee's suggestion of an alcohol limit has been made following numerous incidents over past years where cities have suffered from drunken vandalism and rioting during and after major sporting events.
The SF mayor is suggesting that business owners in the city limit the amount of alcohol sold, or at the very least be responsible in the way and amount they distribute alcohol over this weekend, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
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"Heavy alcohol" was specifically mentioned by Lee, indicating he is more worried about liquor and high-alcohol content beers.
His words in particular come after the San Francisco Giants won the World Series last year, which sparked violence and vandalism in some parts of the city as celebrations got out of control. Images of burning buses and rioters were filmed in the aftermath, and this time round Lee wants to avoid a repeat.
Lee's comments urged business owners to "...serve something (other) than heavy alcohol during times of celebration, because that inebriation sometimes doesn't help with people who want to maybe go beyond the bounds of acceptability in their celebration."
Adam DeMezza, co-owner of the Giordano Brother's sandwich and sports bar, has suggested the idea is good in theory, but may be harder to convince people in practice: "It's a good idea, but it's going to be a tough sell," according to The Examiner.
Here is a video showing footage of the problems after the San Francisco Giants' World Series win:
