NDP leadership candidate Niki Ashton has removed a meme from her social media accounts after being criticized for “appropriating Black culture.”

Ashton had posted a meme on Facebook and Twitter referencing the lyrics “to the left” from the Beyoncé song “Irreplaceable.”

tweet deleted by Niki Ashton after Black Lives Matter Vancouver asked her to (see: https://t.co/D2diAn7NhY) pic.twitter.com/Ir5eTgMCjh — Twelve Thirty Six (@1236) March 15, 2017

A Black Lives Matter Vancouver Twitter account accused her of appropriating black culture to promote her campaign by using the line from the song.

Ashton replied that she removed the post, saying her campaign hadn’t intend to appropriate or offend.

TY @BLM_Van We removed it.Not our intention to appropriate.We’re committed to a platform of racial justice+would appreciate ur feedback. — Niki Ashton (@nikiashton) March 14, 2017

As noted I appreciate the msg from @BLM_Van. Showing respect is what building a movement is all about. — Niki Ashton (@nikiashton) March 15, 2017

I will not tolerate racism or hate speech directed at #BLM or any community. — Niki Ashton (@nikiashton) March 15, 2017

Ashton, who is campaigning to move the NDP further leftward, has gone out of her way to pitch her leadership bid as appealing to minority groups.

At her campaign launch in Ottawa, she had praised Black Lives Matter for challenging racism in Canada, saying that the movement has “made it very clear how real racism is in our own country.”

While she put out that social media fire, she was then promptly criticized online for acquiescing in a knee-jerk fashion.

Today is Day 8 of Niki Ashton’s bid to become NDP leader. This will be an exhausting campaign. pic.twitter.com/xLvCxhx1QS — Robyn Urback (@RobynUrback) March 15, 2017

Would-be NDP leader @nikiashton under fire from Black Lives Matter for quoting Beyonce, which is apparently a racist hate crime now. pic.twitter.com/XYINGIOUjM — J.J. McCullough (@JJ_McCullough) March 15, 2017

Ashton is a fan of Beyoncé – she said at the first NDP leadership debate on the weekend that Beyonce is one of her favourite musicians, and tweeted in February that she should get album of the year (which ultimately went to Adele over Beyoncé at the Grammy’s).

Would have voted 4 @Beyonce 4 #AlbumOfTheYear Lemonade reflects movements like #BLM + inspired many inc feminists like me ✊#grammys2017 — Niki Ashton (@nikiashton) February 13, 2017

Here’s the song she referenced: