WASHINGTON — A new dessert from &Pizza called "Marion Berry Knots" is stirring backlash over what some say is an inappropriate reference to the late D.C. Mayor Marion Barry.
The dessert, featuring doughy knots stuffed with marionberries has caught attention not only for its flavors but for its tagline: “The Marion Berry Knots have enough powdered sugar to have customers "bumping elbows to order — and even force the DEA to look twice.”
This reference has sparked outrage, as it appears to make light of Barry’s 1990 drug arrest. Some feel the campaign disrespects the memory of the former three-term mayor, who passed away in 2014.
Some customers on social media expressed frustration.
“I’m appalled by &Pizza’s disrespectful #Knotscampaign. Trivializing the legacy of a man who dedicated his life to D.C. is unacceptable. Even more disappointing are the ‘residents’ who thought this was appropriate. We should honor our leaders, not disrespect them for profit,” X user Monica T. Ray wrote.
“Thinking this is funny or witty is shameful. Have some respect and awareness,” Allante Keels said.
Kesha Jackson simply called the campaign "disrespectful."
Prominent D.C. activist Ron Moten with Don't Mute DC called for a boycott of the local pizza chain on his Instagram page.
But &Pizza's CEO defended the dessert in a statement, calling the knots "a winning ticket."
“&Pizza is not afraid to have a little fun. Whether or not our new Marion Berry Knots cross the line of having too much fun is something we’ll leave to the customers to decide. But we feel we’ve got a winning ticket with this new dessert,” the statement reads.
A spokesperson for Barry's widow, Cora Masters Barry, said she was “blindsided” by the campaign. They added that many people have reached out to express their disappointment with the product and its marketing.