Participants criticized an ad campaign for a Washington, D.C., pizza restaurant chain that appeared to mock the former mayor while police stood guard to maintain public order, according to reports.
WTOP News reporter Nick Iannelli posted on Protesters gathered outside. “Marion Berry Knots” was listed next to the menu. The photo shared by Iannelli shows. “Enough powder for you and a few friends!” The ad, in part, seemed to allude to Barry’s 1990 arrest for crack cocaine.
“This knot will blow you away!” read more advertisement.
Tensions have been running high here ever since restaurant chain &Pizza released a menu that poked fun at Marion Barry’s drug arrest in the ’90s. A press conference was held soon after, with speakers demanding the company remove the product and apologize. @WTOP pic.twitter.com/vipuJ9d63U
— Nick Iannelli (@NickWTOP) October 23, 2024
The restaurant unveiled its menu on Sunday, calling it “a new secret menu inspired by none other than the city’s vibrant political scene.” According to Society and Culture Website Eater Washington DC.
&pizza CEO David Burns reportedly teased that the new menu could “traverse the world”. line The restaurant’s original ad also said, “Marion Berry Knots is packed with enough powdered sugar that customers will bump elbows to order it, and the Drug Enforcement Administration will do a double take.”
Protesters demanded &pizza remove the menu item and apologize. (Related: Kamala Harris patronizes convenience store, manager is accused of racist background check)
Ward 8 Councilman Trayon White was also at the protest, according to a video shared by Iannelli. “Today we stand in solidarity against what &Pizza is trying to do in the spirit of profit. You may not know this, but Marion Barry meant a lot to so many people. ,” White said in part.
Meanwhile, Mr. White has been indicted on federal bribery charges.
BREAKING: D.C. City Councilman Trayon White, who is facing federal bribery charges, is among the speakers here criticizing &Pizza. @WTOP pic.twitter.com/cTgaZkdemj
— Nick Iannelli (@NickWTOP) October 23, 2024
“I just think it’s racist. There’s outrageous racism going on in this city. You can print that. It’s racist and disrespectful,” Barry’s widow Cora Masters said. said. said DC News Now. & Pizza has not contacted her about the new menu and its apparent connection to Barry, she added.
According to Eater Washington, D.C., Ronald Moten called for a boycott of the pizza chain, saying, “There are a lot of people who are not racists and just enjoy good pizza.”
Speakers here are calling for active protests at &Pizza’s location here on U Street. They are organizing it on Friday at 7 p.m. “There is a storm coming that we are not prepared for,” one speaker announced. @WTOP pic.twitter.com/AGbVQhlpKc
— Nick Iannelli (@NickWTOP) October 23, 2024
Iannelli also recorded video Police appear to be outside the building.
Marion Berry developed a lasting relationship with Barry due to the similarity of their names and Barry’s love of fruit. According to Washingtonians.
According to a report from Eater Washington, D.C., several restaurants and beverage companies have cited Barry in some of their products, while AndPizza’s Marion Berry Knot ad highlights the powdered sugar element on the menu. It is said that it was done.
Barry served four terms as D.C. mayor, The Washington Post reported. In 1977, he was shot and slightly injured during the siege of the city’s district hall by Hanafi Muslims, but the then-D.C. congressman survived, and his notoriety led to him becoming mayor within two years. I arrived. Although Barry was one of the most influential and intelligent local politicians of his time, he still faced problems with alcohol and drug use, as well as extramarital affairs. He served six months in federal prison on drug charges, but has since bounced back and returned to office.
Barry passed away on November 23, 2014 at the age of 78.
