A young woman has been charged with assault after pepper-spraying a conservative social media influencer on a SEPTA bus, sparking widespread attention from far-right groups. Paulina Reyes, 22, was taken into custody and faces charges including simple assault, harassment, disorderly conduct, and possession of an instrument of crime.
Reyes had gotten into a heated argument with Frank Scales, the founder of Surge Philly, a website that frequently features clips of him interviewing protesters in Philadelphia. The altercation began when Reyes called Scales a "fascist" before she attempted to pepper-spray him, sparking a heated exchange on social media.
The incident occurred on January 19 on a SEPTA bus in South Philadelphia and was initially investigated by the transit police. However, it gained national attention after Scales posted cellphone video of the altercation, which included footage of Reyes asking not to be recorded and allegedly striking Scales in the head.
Reyes claimed she pepper-sprayed Scales because he refused to stop filming her, saying "I got mad and I wanted to defend myself." However, prosecutors argue that this is no excuse for violent conduct. The Pennsylvania Attorney General's office described the incident as a reminder that violence will not be tolerated in cases of political disagreement.
The case has drawn criticism from far-right groups, with some of whom have praised Scales' actions, describing Reyes as an "Antifa agitator." The controversy highlights the ongoing tensions between politicians and social media influencers, particularly those on the right who frequently use platforms to express their views and engage in confrontations.
Reyes had gotten into a heated argument with Frank Scales, the founder of Surge Philly, a website that frequently features clips of him interviewing protesters in Philadelphia. The altercation began when Reyes called Scales a "fascist" before she attempted to pepper-spray him, sparking a heated exchange on social media.
The incident occurred on January 19 on a SEPTA bus in South Philadelphia and was initially investigated by the transit police. However, it gained national attention after Scales posted cellphone video of the altercation, which included footage of Reyes asking not to be recorded and allegedly striking Scales in the head.
Reyes claimed she pepper-sprayed Scales because he refused to stop filming her, saying "I got mad and I wanted to defend myself." However, prosecutors argue that this is no excuse for violent conduct. The Pennsylvania Attorney General's office described the incident as a reminder that violence will not be tolerated in cases of political disagreement.
The case has drawn criticism from far-right groups, with some of whom have praised Scales' actions, describing Reyes as an "Antifa agitator." The controversy highlights the ongoing tensions between politicians and social media influencers, particularly those on the right who frequently use platforms to express their views and engage in confrontations.
! I mean, I get why Paulina Reyes was upset, but pepper-spraying someone isn't the answer 
. It's like, you can disagree with someone without resorting to violence, right? And what's with Frank Scales filming her in the first place? That wasn't cool either 
. But at the same time, I don't condone him trying to provoke a reaction out of her either. This whole situation is just messy 
. Far-right groups praising Scales for "standing up" to Reyes? No thanks 
. This is a big problem, not just in Philly but everywhere 
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I feel so bad for Paulina Reyes, she's only 22 and already got into some serious trouble 
pepper spray is never a good solution, especially not on public transportation... I'm guessing Scales was totally out of line too for not stopping filming her, but at the same time, you can't just attack someone because they're recording you 
SEPTA bus is already a stressful place, no need to make it worse with pepper spray 
I'm not sure what's more concerning - Paulina Reyes' actions or the fact that people are already jumping to defend Scales as if he was a victim here? 
The whole situation is just wild. It sounds like Reyes was trying to protect herself from being filmed, but maybe she didn't handle it the right way? Either way, using pepper spray is never okay, especially in public 
It's like, yeah, people have the right to disagree and express themselves, but there are better ways to do it than resorting to physical altercations. 
it's so not worth gettin' arrested over. I feel bad for her though, it sounds like Scales started the whole thing by refusin' to stop filmmin' her... maybe they should've just talked it out? 
. People need to calm down and think about what's really going on here, not just what they're feeling in the moment.
. It feels like everyone's taking sides without really looking at the facts of the situation.
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. I think it's crazy that Paulina Reyes was pepper-sprayed for defending herself. I mean, she said Scales wouldn't stop filming her and that's why she reacted that way 
. But at the same time, I don't think she should be charged with assault. It feels like a big overreaction to me 
. And what's with the whole "Antifa agitator" thing? That's just another way of demonizing someone who disagrees with you 
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