Blackface complaints lead Bed Bath and Beyond to remove pumpkins

Bed Bath and Beyond has removed black-painted pumpkins with white mouths after there were complaints that they resembled blackface, The Associated Press reported.

Some of the pumpkins were displayed on a porch outside a law firm in Nyack, New York, as part of a Halloween display, the AP said News 12-Westchester reported. The pumpkins were later taken down after come community complaints.

Bed Bath & Beyond has pulled its black jack-o-lantern Halloween decorations over complaints that they resemble blackface. https://t.co/xzR6sRXjix

— MRCTV.org (@mrctv) October 23, 2019

The firm never meant to offend anyone and represents people “of all colors and faiths,” partner Mary Marzolla told the wire service.

Wilbur Aldridge, director of the local NAACP, said the pumpkins’ display depicted an “extreme lack of sensitivity,” Microsoft News reported.

Bed Bath and Beyond also apologized, the AP said. It said any offense was not intentional and that it immediately removed the pumpkins from sale.