WASHINGTON (DC News Now) -- Fast-casual pizza chain &pizza removed its “Marion Berry Knots" Wednesday after it stirred up controversy among the D.C. community where leaders were calling for boycotts. &pizza's Marion Berry Knots closely resembled the name of D.C.'s late, former mayor, Marion Barry. The chain's campaign included drug references and innuendos that poked fun at Barry, who was at the center of a crack cocaine possession scandal in the 1990s. Marion Berry Knots at &pizza (BML Public Relations)Marion Berry Knots at &pizza (BML Public Relations)Marion Berry Knots at &pizza (BML Public Relations) Cora Masters Barry, Barry's wife, told DC News Now that &pizza never contacted her about the name of the dessert and she called it “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," Masters Barry told DC News Now on Monday. DC’s Marion Barry Avenue officially opens to traffic In response to her comments, &pizza CEO Mike Burns doubled down on Monday, saying, “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. It’s delicious – we can’t wait for D.C. to try it.”  After being asked about a boycott on Tuesday, Burns stayed silent. On Wednesday morning, a group of activists held a press conference outside the &pizza location on U Street in Northwest where they called for people to stop spending money at the chain and demanding the item be removed from the menu. "It is a slap in the face to native Washingtonians who have been impacted by Mayor Marion Barry, and it is a slap in the face to the DMV as a whole because he created what is the DMV today," one activist said. Many D.C. natives said portraying Barry in a negative light isn't OK. "He was loved. Still loved, always will be. So these pastries that you're making, doesn't change how the people feel. It's going to change how the people feel about the business," said Barbara Dodson. In a statement late Wednesday afternoon, Burns said they made a mistake and "we sincerely apologize." We hear the D.C. community and have removed the Marion Berry Knots from our menu effective immediately. Those who know the &pizza brand know we stand for philanthropy, activism and societal betterment in the communities we serve. While humor was our intent, it was regrettably off the mark. We’re an edgy brand known for being risk takers. The parody of the former Mayor and portrayal of substance abuse was wrong. We have read the countless messages and social media posts and understand the frustration this has brought forth – especially to the Barry family. We recognize his impact on the District and greater Capital area and understand why his legacy remains as strong as it is today. We are actively reaching out to the community leaders who have voiced concern. Our goal is to connect with them to identify how we can work together to make a positive impact. Again, we apologize. We have nothing but love for D.C., which we consider the greatest city in the world. Trust that &pizza hears you and we will do better. &pizza CEO Mike Burns