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A video that went viral over the weekend captured a heated exchange between a black police officer and a Black Lives Matter (BLM) protester during a rally in Pittsburgh, Your Content has learned.
The footage shows Seth Taylor, an officer with the Wilkinson Police Department, throwing a punch at Vuestro Merced, a protester who had intervened while officers were attempting to detain another protester in a Pittsburgh suburb.
The incident unfolded as approximately 20 protesters marched through Pittsburgh, extending their demonstration into the suburb in an effort to seek justice for Jim Rogers.
Rogers, a 56-year-old black man, had tragically lost his life in October following an encounter with Pittsburgh police officers, during which he was Tased.
In the video, tensions escalate as Merced confronts the officer, hurling profanities and derogatory remarks.
As the situation intensifies, Taylor delivers a punch that knocks Merced to the ground. Following the altercation, Merced was taken into police custody but was subsequently released.
The incident has sparked discussions surrounding police conduct and protester interactions within the Pittsburgh community.
The video has circulated widely on social media platforms, attracting both support and criticism from various perspectives.
It remains to be seen how local authorities will address the altercation and whether any further actions will be taken in response to the incident, according to The New York Post.
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