A comedy stunt in which scores of people rode the New York subway in their underwear ended with the arrest of eight panty-proud participants, police said on Monday.
A police spokesperson said all had been released after being issued summonses for ”disorderly conduct”.
Organised by the group Improv Everywhere, the prank called for people to board the same subway train on Sunday without their pants and ride several stops.
The invitation on the group’s website instructed participants to act as if everything were normal.
”If questioned, tell folks that you ‘forgot to wear pants’ and, yes, you are ‘a little cold’. Insist that it is a coincidence that others also forgot their pants,” it said.
The stunt was broken up by the police who halted the train, ordered those without pants off the train and arrested eight.
About 160 people took part, according to the organisers, who criticised police for overreacting.
”One frustrated cop freaked out and called in 25 more,” said the group’s founder, Charlie Todd.
Improv Everywhere’s other ”missions” have included a fake U2 concert and a suicide jumper balanced on a 1m high ledge in downtown Manhattan. — Sapa-AFP