I am the proprietor of the Ugly Mug and I was there the night of the Ugly Prom. I am really glad that no one was seriously hurt -- I was glad that there were many people to help subdue the two men (and that there was only two of them) -- I felt that the situation was handled as best as we could do. After the fight and the pepper spray I was really bummed about our ‘accepting community.’

I believe that the pepper spraying was, at first, a response from a passing car to subdue the "drunken brawl" in the street, as it might have looked like that to someone in the safety of their car. But then the person sprayed at least 3 women who were asking them to STOP SPRAYING. This person might have thought they were helping at first, and then got in way over their head too quickly, leading to panic. Think of the type of person pepper spray is marketed to.

The police seemed overtaxed. When they did finally arrive on scene they showed up 6 cars strong. They Immediately cuffed the 2 drunken men, then tried to figure out what went on. They left with the intent of booking them as drunk and disorderly. The police left saying that no one wanted to press charges. Whether it was from lack of asking or from shock that no one pressed charges, I do not know. The police did not ask me if I wanted to press charges.

I would be open to a discussion on some night as those present need to talk about it and as it happened in our community. The Mug would be an appropriate place.