Mela Restaurant and Lounge, located just outside of Atlanta, has been accused of using an outrageously offensive flyer to promote an event celebrating Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. Not only is King featured in the image, but civil rights icon Rosa Parks makes an appearance as well...and it’s sexually suggestive.
Arthur Watkins Jr., an Atlanta entrepreneur, posted the disturbing flyer on X. In it, King and Parks are dressed in scantily clad outfits while engaged in a sex act.
“I have just sent an urgent email to Bernice King, the daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., regarding a derogatory misuse of Dr. King’s image at Mela Restaurant and Lounge in Atlanta,” Watkins wrote.
He also stated that as a litigant with the American Freedmen Legal Fund and Freedmen Nation, it was necessary to inform Bernice since the flyer undermines the legacy of Dr. King. “The use of his likeness in this context is deeply disrespectful and warrants attention,” Watkins explained.
Watkins added that the flyer he posted on the social media site serves as evidence of Mela’s disrespect before asserting that “Dr. King’s legacy is one of dignity, justice and equality” that must be protected.
However, in a statement on Instagram, the food establishment denied they made or circulated it in any manner.
“The owners of Mela ATL have no connections or support of the MLK party on Saturday January 18th,” they wrote. “We do not tolerate or support the idea of the flyer concept. Please stop tagging or involving us with the concept...We do not tolerate the disrespect that was posted on the flyer. We do apologize for the flyer going around with us unaware.”
This isn’t the first time a brand or establishment has been accused of using Martin Luther King Jr.’s image to promote a party during the holiday weekend, but it is certainly one of the most disturbing.