A man dressed as Optimus Prime was removed by the municipal police from Parque de la Mejorada in Mérida after being questioned for not having permits from the City Council.
An unusual incident occurred in Parque de la Mejorada, Mérida, when a man dressed as Optimus Prime, the popular character from the Transformers series, was removed by the municipal police while taking photos with children.
The man, who used his costume to entertain children and earn some money, was approached by officers who requested the corresponding permits from the City Council to carry out his activity, despite it not being within the police’s authority to demand such documents.
The Confrontation Between Police and Optimus Prime
In a video that quickly went viral on social media, municipal officers can be seen questioning the man in costume and demanding that he leave the area if he does not present the necessary permits.
In response, the man explained that he has visited other municipalities in the country and that Mérida is the only place where he has faced such problems with the authorities.
During the conversation with the officers, the person in costume asserted that he was not committing any infraction and that his activity—taking photos with children in exchange for a voluntary tip—should not require permits. He also highlighted that in other municipalities in Mexico, where he has carried out similar activities, he has not been asked for permits nor treated in this manner.
Public Reaction
While the discussion between the man dressed as Optimus Prime and the officers unfolded, other people present in the park intervened in defense of the young man.
Witnesses criticized the police’s attitude, pointing out that the man was not doing anything wrong and that his activity was harmless and entertaining for the children.
The young man emphasized that any permit management, if required, should be processed through the appropriate City Council departments, such as Commerce or Entertainment, and not through the police.
This point was supported by some of the people present, who opined that the officers’ actions were excessive and lacked understanding of the situation.
This incident has sparked a debate on social media about the control of public spaces in Mérida and the authority of municipal officers.
Many people have expressed their dissatisfaction with what they consider an abuse of authority and have shown their support for the man dressed as Optimus Prime.
Others, however, believe that the request for permits is a necessary measure to regulate commercial activities in public spaces, although they consider that the intervention should have been handled more appropriately.
So far, the Mérida City Council has not issued an official statement about the incident, and it is unknown if the man in costume will face any sanctions. Meanwhile, the video continues to circulate on social media, fueling the debate about the use of public spaces and the actions of the municipal police in similar cases.
Source: Excelsior
