Pepsi defends controversial Kendall Jenner ad

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.

The "Live for Now Moments " video released on Tuesday has Jenner in a platinum wig on a photo shoot when protesters amble by. She rips off her wig, smears away her lipstick and joins them, eventually handing an officer on the demonstration line a can of Pepsi. He gulps some down, and then grins as Jenner dances off with her new friends.

Watch it here:

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.

See some of the reactions here:

In Baton Rouge, LA, Ieshia Evans didn't meet the same reaction as Kendall Jenner from police when approaching during a protest. #pepsiad pic.twitter.com/OjJg2zDlDu

— BD_PR (@Brittany_AD) April 5, 2017

All I'm going to say about the #PepsiAd is that it is highly insensitive and pure stupid, but it is not my battle to fight

— MOE NYISA (@MOEQueenOfPeace) April 5, 2017

Not only is that #Pepsiad offensive, it is also very badly executed.

— zodwa kumalo (@Zoddies) April 5, 2017

To clarify, I'm pissed at the #PepsiAd bc this is what happens if you walk toward police barriers. No soda protects PoC from police violence pic.twitter.com/6lrNluHUBf

— Stef Sanjati (@stefsanjati) April 5, 2017

That @pepsi ad, though... IS what neoliberalism is all about: everything is solved with capitalism#PepsiAd

— aaron (@abowersock) April 5, 2017

So that means every war we just going to give ourselves pepsi then everything will be alright? #PepsiAd

— Jennette Sabido (@jennsaab) April 5, 2017

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.