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Who is Vuestro Merced? Viral footage catches BLM protester being punched by cop

Merced, along with many others, was marching to demand justice for Jim Rogers, who died after being tased several times by cops in October 2021

A video has gone viral as it shows a Black Lives Matter (BLM) protester getting punched by a police officer for trying to intervene in the arrest of another demonstrator. The BLM protester has been identified as Vuestro Merced who was not only struck by Seth Taylor of the Wilkinsburg Police Department but was also arrested at a rally in Pittsburgh. Reportedly, Merced, along with several others, was marching to demand justice for Jim Rogers, who died after being tased several times by cops in October 2021.

The clip of the incident that happened on Saturday, April 16, shared online shows police trying to detain a woman named Victoyia Lynn Townes. But she apparently argued and behaved belligerently against officers before being eventually apprehended. While officers were trying to arrest Townes, Merced reportedly came in between and pushed toward them, which angered officer Taylor, who then Merced. A woman recording the incident can be heard yelling at the cops, “This is what people do to fight for Black people, and this is what these pigs do in the street.”

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However, Merced, as well as Towne, were soon released as a Twitter user @MiracleEsq shared on social media. “They are out and safe with community. You may support them via cashapp at $kiskeyancougar,” the tweet read. It is not clear if they face any charges.

Who is Vuestro Merced?

There is not much information available regarding Merced, but The Post Millennial's editor-at-large Andy Ngo in a tweet shared that he is “an exercise instructor.” Ngo also revealed more info on Towne as he tweeted, “She was arrested over a racist #BLM attack in a restaurant in 2020 where she was charged w/rioting, making terroristic threats, assault & more.” He added, “#Antifa & the far-left use @PayPal , @CashApp to raise cash rewards for their violent comrades to incentivize further criminal behavior. Victoyia Lynn Townes has a trial for the 2020 #BLM Pittsburgh racist attack on April 20 in Allegheny County, Penn.”

Meanwhile, the incident has attracted a lot of attention with many supporting Taylor's action. A person said, “That punch is so satisfying.” The second one tweeted, “Beautiful! I’m proud of that officers response.” “The only thing that went right all year so far 😂😂,” the third one wrote.

A user commented, “Here’s some advice more valuable than money: don’t put your hands on a police officer if you don’t want the consequences. These types aren’t freedom fighters or civil rights advocates. They’re anarchists who enjoy causing trouble. I respect the 1st amendment but not violence.”

Another one noted, “So satisfying to watch. Talk s**t, get hit.” “Attack a police officer and get a nice left hook. Can we get this officer promoted or at least a commendation?” the third user suggested, while the fourth one added, “Whoever yelled ‘oh my God’ obviously has no idea when you mess with a cop just trying to do his job and clear the street, they're lucky a punch was all they got. Now S T F U and calm Yo' a*zes down.”

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