A pizza chain has sparked outrage for using former mayor and civil rights activist Marion Barry’s cocaine habit to sell powdered pies.
The &Pizza chain launched a range of delicacies called ‘Marion Berry Knots’ with the tagline ‘these knots will blow your mind’, depicted with a white powder decoration.
In a teaser post for the product, the tease continued with a post saying “our classic knots took a hit” printed on a card with mounds of white powder on mirrors in the background, surrounded by bags.
The store’s management is now facing scrutiny over the marketing angle, with many criticizing the ploy, including Barry’s widow and his former friend.
Marionberries are a blackberry-like fruit that originated in Oregon in 1956 and are often used in desserts.
&pizza launched its new powdered pastry product with marketing closely related to cocaine use and former mayor Marion Barry.
Cora Masters Barry is said to have been “shocked” by the resemblance to her late husband’s name and the reference to her personal battle with addiction.
Her spokesperson said she had “expressed disappointment and outrage at the inference of the promotion”.
Community activist and friend of Barry, Ronald Moten, is organizing a boycott and demonstration at several of the chains in DC.
Moten told the Washington Post: ‘People are really angry. They want to know what they can do. And we’ll close them on Friday and Saturday night, when most people go there, when the clubs close.
“We’re going to show them that we still have a voice in this city,” he added.
As the campaign rolled out on social media, posts included the text: ‘For a limited time, try our Marion Berry Filled Knots topped with frosting and enough powdered sugar for you and a few friends!’
On another of the company’s promotional posters you could read the text: “It’s a crime how good they are.”
The apparent attempt to mock Barry for a unique marketing angle was not taken well, with many expressing their anger and confusion online.
‘Lol, are you really making fun of the history of the city you do business in?’ one commented.
‘Why do you think this is funny?’ said another.
‘This is wrong and you know it. Just because someone has had an issue doesn’t mean we should keep raising it,” wrote another.
‘Marion Barry was more than the demons she faced. “He did a lot for the DC community, that is the legacy we must highlight,” they added.
Marion Barry was the former mayor of the District of Columbia. He had a lasting impact on the community and was known as the district’s “mayor for life” after four terms.
Barry was caught on video smoking crack cocaine after being “lured” to a hotel room by a woman he used to have a “love affair” with during an FBI operation in 1990.
An advertising video for the product was also posted on Instagram, where viewers were also equally displeased.
‘This is a great lack of respect towards our city and towards our iconic mayor. “Using references to drug use to promote our pizza is completely inappropriate,” one person wrote.
‘The cocaine joke is especially offensive given that our beloved mayor is no longer with us. This type of promotion is not only rude but also shows a lack of respect. “Do not disrespect his memory,” they added.
Another said: “Part of me feels like this is an angry marketing ploy.” But either way, a cocaine joke associated with a black mayor of DC is very vulgar and in poor taste. Was there really nothing else they could do to generate numbers?
“Mocking a drug addiction to promote pizza is crazy,” said another.
The chain’s chief executive, Mike Burns, said: “We’re talking about a marionberry, which is spelled with an ‘e’. We fill it into a knot, drizzle it with frosting and then cover it with powdered sugar. It’s delicious, We can’t wait for DC to try it.
Bernard Demczuk worked with Barry on the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee in the 1960s and later held a senior position in his mayoral administration.
Demczuk told the Washington Post: “My reaction is that it’s disgusting.” I will do everything I can to close that pizzeria. They have no right to monetize someone’s problem, which is a big problem for a lot of people in this country.
“It’s shameful to take advantage of a man who dedicated his life to helping people.”
The former mayor of the District of Columbia made a lasting impact on the community and was known as the district’s “mayor for life” after four terms.
Barry became mayor in 1979 and was well known for focusing resources on poor neighborhoods, government contracts for black businesses and jobs on the city payroll.
He was known to have struggled with alcohol and drug addiction, and in an FBI operation in 1990 he was caught smoking crack cocaine in a hotel room with a woman with whom he had a “loving” relationship.
The &pizza chain has been in operation for twelve years and recently celebrated its anniversary in July
When he was arrested, he was heard muttering, “Damn, he set me up!”, referring to the woman who had taken him to the hotel room in Washington.
Barry served six months in federal prison and completed a rehabilitation program before returning to his political platform.
In less than two years, he became mayor of the District again before dying in 2014 at the age of 78 from hypertensive cardiovascular disease, kidney disease and diabetes.
Barry became mayor in 1979 and was well known for focusing resources on poor neighborhoods, government contracts for black businesses and jobs on the city payroll.
Barry served six months in federal prison and completed a rehabilitation program before returning to his political platform.
A public relations firm representing the network issued a brief statement on behalf of CEO Mike Burns.
He said in the statement: “We are talking about a marionberry, which is spelled with an ‘e’.”
‘We put it in a knot, drizzle it with icing and then cover it with powdered sugar. It’s delicious; We can’t wait for DC to try it.”
Daily Mail has contacted &pizza for comment.