WATCH: Pepsi ad sparks backlash

New York — Model and Kardashian clan member Kendall Jenner's turn as a Pepsi-wielding protester has some on social media decrying the imagery as appropriation of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Reaction on social media ranged from some saying the imagery was tone deaf, to it evoking a widely circulated photo of Black Lives Matter protester Leshia Evans last year in Louisiana. Evans was detained when she approached police at a demonstration in Baton Rouge.

undefined

In a statement late Tuesday night, Pepsi defended the ad.

"This is a global ad that reflects people from different walks of life coming together in a spirit of harmony, and we think that's an important message to convey," the statement said.

In a statement late Tuesday night, Pepsi defended the ad.

"This is a global ad that reflects people from different walks of life coming together in a spirit of harmony, and we think that's an important message to convey," the statement said.

The ad does not explicitly make reference to any movements or protests but the woman wearing a hijab with the songs about rights and prayer makes people suggest otherwise.

Responses on Twitter ranged from outrage to humour.

Kendall Jenner cured racism with a can of Pepsi, what have you done today?

— Clitoír Connoisseur (@MrPOS_) April 5, 2017

Me after watching kendall Jenner's #Pepsi commercial pic.twitter.com/5IjE3HrY5r

— mar (@poeticsNormani) April 5, 2017

Kendall Jenner getting abuse already as if she personally made that Pepsi ad. Shes just making money lads I doubt she cares what the ad is 🙄

— Piggy (@ciaratheimpaler) April 5, 2017

i just watched the kendall jenner pepsi® advert and nearly threw my phone in the canal

— James Hadouken! (@JamesHadouken) April 5, 2017

@KimChi_Chic pepsi made a commercial showing how kendall jenner singlehandedly ended racism by giving a cop a pepsi

— shameless hussy (@nocturinal) April 5, 2017

I hope Kendall Jenner is donating all the money she made off that Pepsi ad to take care of lawyer fees of protesters still fighting cases

— Mafa Madamagic (@DawtaDeLaMer) April 5, 2017