Pizza chain sparks outrage after using former mayors cocaine habit to sell powdered pastries

A pizza chain has sparked outrage over using former mayor and civil rights activist Marion Barrys cocaine habit to sell powdered pastries. 

The &Pizza chain released a range of treats called Marion Berry Knots with the tagline these knots will blow you away pictured with a white powder decoration. 

In a tease post for the product, the insinuation continued with one post reading our classic knots got a bump printed on a card with piles of white powder on mirrors in the background, surrounded by bags. 

The stores management is now facing scrutiny over the marketing angle, with many hitting out at the ploy, including Barrys widow and his former friend. 

Marionberrys are a similar fruit to blackberries that originated in Oregon in 1956 and are often used in desserts

&pizza released their new powdered pastry product with marketing closely connected to cocaine use and former mayor Marion Barry

Cora Masters Barry is said to have been blindsided by the likeness to her late husbands name and reference to his personal battle with addiction. 

Her spokesperson said that she has expressed disappointment and outrage by the promotions inference. 

Community activist and friend of Barry, Ronald Moten, is organizing a boycott and demonstration at several of the chains locations in DC. 

Moten told the Washington Post: People are really p***** off. They want to know what they can do. And were going to be shutting them down Friday and Saturday night, when most people go there, when the clubs let out.

Were going to show them weve still got a voice in this city, he added. 

As the campaign was rolled out across social media, posts included the text: For a limited time try our marion berry filled knots topped with icing and enough powdered sugar for you and a few friends! 

Another of the companys promotional displays showed the text: Its criminal how good these are. 

The apparent attempt making light of Barry for a unique marketing angle was not taken well, with many expressing their anger and confusion online. 

Lol are you really mocking the history of the city you do business in? one commented. 

Why would you think this is funny? said another.

This is wrong and you know it. Just because someone had a problem doesnt mean that we should continue to bring it up, wrote another. 

Marion Barry was more than the demons he faced. He did so much for the community of DC, thats the legacy we should be highlighting, they added. 

Marion Barry was the former mayor of the District of Columbia. He made a lasting impact on the community, and was known as the districts mayor for life after four terms in office

Barry was caught on video smoking crack after being lured into a hotel room by a woman who he used to have an amorous relationship with during an FBI sting in 1990

A video advertisement for the product was also posted onto Instagram, where viewers were also equally displeased. 

This is highly disrespectful to our city and to our iconic mayor. Using references to drug use to promote our pizza is completely inappropriate, wrote one person. 

The cocaine joke is especially offensive given that our beloved mayor is no longer with us. This kind of promotion is not only rude but also shows a lack of respect. Dont disrespect his memory, they added. 

Another said: Part of me feels like this is a rage marketing tactic. But either way, a cocaine joke associated with a black dc mayor is very tacky and tasteless. There was really nothing else yall could do to drive numbers?? 

Making fun of a drug addiction for pizza promo is kinda insane, said another. 

The chains chief executive, Mike Burns, said: Were talking about a marionberry, thats spelled with an e. We stuff that into a knot, drizzle it with icing and then top it with powdered sugar. Its delicious - we cant wait for DC to try it

Bernard Demczuk worked with Barry on the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee in the 1960s as well as later holding a senior post in his mayoral administration. 

Demczuk told the Washington Post: My reaction is, its disgusting. I will do everything I can to shut down that pizza place. They have no right to monetize someones problem thats a big problem for a lot of people in this country.

Its disgraceful, making a profit off a man who devoted 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 districts mayor for life after four terms in office. 

Barry became mayor in 1979 and was well known for having focused 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 sting in 1990 he was caught smoking crack in a hotel room with a woman he had an amorous relationship with.

The &pizza chain has been running for twelve years and recently celebrated their anniversary in July

As he was arrested he was heard muttering, B*** set me up!, referring to the woman who had taken him to the Washington hotel room. 

Barry served six months in federal prison and completed a rehab program before returning to his political platform. 

In less than two years, he was mayor of the District once more before his death in 2014 at 78 years old from hypertensive cardiovascular disease, kidney disease and diabetes.

Barry became mayor in 1979 and was well known for having focused 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 rehab program before returning to his political platform

A brief statement was released by a public relations firm representing the chain on behalf of chief executive Mike Burns.

He said in the statement: Were talking about a marionberry, thats spelled with an e. 

We stuff that into a knot, drizzle it with icing and then top it with powdered sugar. Its delicious - we cant wait for DC to try it.

Daily Mail has reached out to &pizza for comment.