AN ITALIAN restaurant has been slammed for sharing the slogan "Black Olives Matter" with critics accusing the restaurant of trivialising the protest movement.

Paisano's Italian restaurant was accused of making a joke in poor taste against the "Black Lives Matter" protest when it shared the "Black Olives Matter Try Our Tapenade" slogan out the front of its Alburquerque, New Mexico, premises.

4 The sign 'Black Olives Matter' has caused a fuss at an Albuquerque restaurant

4 Nyima Coleman holds a Black Lives Matter sign at Public Square outside the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio - just one of the many protesters involved in the protests across the US Credit: Reuters

People have taken to social media to slam the slogan, with Claudia Sanchez writing: "As a woman of color I find your posting offensive and in very bad taste.

"You simply wish to rub salt in an ugly festering wound which evil minded people refuse to allow to heal. The civilized world no longer has any tolerance for your hateful public display of what passes to you as humor."

Others criticised the restaurant for apparently deleting negative comments.

But others praised the pun, with Russell Berryman writing: "Always love a good play on words. keep up the good work."

The restaurant's owner Rick Camuglia told CBS affiliate KRQE: "We didn't think anybody would be offended by that. It was not our intent to offend anybody."

The sign has since been taken down by the restaurant and photos of the billboard have been taken down.

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"Black Lives Matter" protests have been sparked across America after a recent spate of police shootings that killed black people.

But Paisano's also posted a thank you note on their social media page, saying: "Since Wednesday, July 13th, we have been inundated with positive, supportive phone calls from the community as well as overwhelmed with business, not only from our "regulars", but from so many new customers who came from Albuquerque, surrounding cities, and even neighboring States simply to support us.

"A heartfelt "Thank You" to you from our Crew, some of whom were moved to tears because of your kind words and outpouring of support.

4 People have accused the restaurant of trivialising the Black Lives Matters protests Credit: Getty Images