WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — One of &pizza’s Southeast D.C. stores was vandalized on Tuesday night.
The DMV-based pizza chain has been receiving backlash this week after launching an ad campaign surrounding a new dessert item “Marion Berry Knots.” The knots resembled the name of D.C.’s late, former Mayor Marion Barry.
Ads surrounding the new item included drug references and innuendos that poked fun at Barry, who was involved in a crack cocaine possession scandal in the 1990s.
In the days after the launch, D.C. leaders and neighbors called for a boycott of the chain.
On Tuesday, Oct. 22, at about 10:32 p.m., the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said suspects spray painted the front window of the business, which is right off of Marion Barry Avenue SE in the 2200 block of Town Center Drive SE.
Surveillance video footage captured two people walking up to the store with canisters of spray paint and defacing it.
On Wednesday, &pizza CEO Mike Burns announced they would be pulling the knots from the menu, apologizing for making light of the former Mayor and the portrayal of substance abuse.
Anyone who can identify the suspects involved in the vandalism or their vehicle is asked to call MPD at (202) 727-9099 or text the department’s tip line at 50411.
