Activists around the Washington area are calling on residents to boycott the District-based restaurant chain &pizza, after announcing their new “Marion Berry Knots,” not only using the late D.C. mayor’s name, but also using drug-related references tied with the promotion.
“The Marion Berry Knots have enough powdered sugar to have customers bumping elbows to order — and even force the DEA to look twice,” read the promotion, a reference to former D.C. Mayor Marion Barry’s 1990 arrest after a sting operation between the FBI and Metropolitan Police Department. After serving a six-month sentence, Barry returned to District politics, first to the D.C. Council, where he also served until his death in 2014, before being reelected mayor in 1994.
“The life, legacy, lineage and name of Marion Barry deserves to be remembered as a pioneer for economic development, real-estate development, Black business empowerment, youth employment and as the Mayor of the people,” said Akousa Ali, president of NAACP DC.
Ali said residents should be inspired by Barry’s legacy to fight against the restaurant chain.
“Mayor Barry taught us the power of economics and today, we call on the community to demand &pizza right this egregious wrong,” Ali said.
Ronald Moten of Don’t Mute DC and Council member Trayon White (D-Ward 8) have both called for a boycott of the business.
In a statement, a spokesman for Barry’s widow called the promotion racist and disrespectful.
“I just think it’s racist. In this city, it is outrageously racist. You can print that. It’s racist and disrespectful,” Cora Masters Barry told DC News Now.
Despite criticism, the restaurant chain’s CEO Mike Burns said the new dessert was unrelated to the former mayor.
“We’re talking about a marionberry, that’s spelled with an ‘e.’ We stuff that into a knot, drizzle it with icing and then top it with powdered sugar,” said Burns in a statement later repeated by another &pizza spokesperson. “It’s delicious – we can’t wait for D.C. to try it.”
Burnbox owner Ryan Whitfield, a DMV native, considers Barry’s hallmark Summer Youth Employment Program as foundational to his personal entrepreneurial journey and overall community empowerment.
“Marion Barry, a prominent figure in Washington, D.C., left a lasting impact on the community and the DMV area as a whole. Despite personal challenges, his commitment to the residents of D.C. and his significant contributions far outweighed any shortcomings,” said Whitfield, who announced his company will be giving back to the community this November through the “BurnBox Donate Back: Highlighting the Legacy of Marion Barry” initiative.
The entrepreneur said Barry’s commitment to unity should be a driving force to support Black businesses and come together in this divisive election season.
“In the current climate, supporting local businesses like BurnBox is crucial to honoring the legacies of community leaders such as Marion Barry. His focus was always on advancing our community, and he would have wanted any obstacles to bring us together rather than tear us apart,” Whitfield said. “We are proud to carry on the spirit of service that he instilled in all of us.”