Restaurant Selling 'Black Olives Matter' Shirts
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — An Italian restaurant in New Mexico is drawing criticism on social media for making merchandise with a slogan mimicking the Black Lives Matter movement.
News station KOAT-TV in Albuquerque reports that Paisano's in Albuquerque is selling "black olives matter" shirts and hats after making national headlines for putting the phrase on a sign outside the restaurant.
RELATED: 'White Lives Matter' Shirts Sold For Marlin Conservation
Owner Rick Camuglia says he emblazoned the phrase on the restaurant's main sign to sell a new recipe: a tuna dish with black olive tapenade.
Restaurant's ill-advised 'Black Olives Matter' sign sparks controversy https://t.co/0DaMidouz3 pic.twitter.com/Net8X6xdVQ
— Eater (@Eater) July 18, 2016
Camuglia posted pictures of the dish and the sign on Facebook, drawing complaints he was being insensitive and trivializing a movement aimed at trying to stop police shootings of black residents.
Camuglia says he's not trying to stir racial tensions and was only trying to sell food.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.