Rafael Mercado

Limited Supply of Narcan Prevents Milwaukee Groups From Saving Lives

Vending machines aren't available after hours, or are even turned off during the day.

City’s Drug-Related Arrests Drop By 67%

5-year decline even as overdose deaths soar. MPD cites change of focus.

Can New Naloxone Medication Reduce Overdose Deaths?

Increased potency of fentanyl, other opioids driving death rate in Milwaukee.

Drug Overdose Deaths Still Plague County

Fentanyl driving 5-year rise in Milwaukee, though cocaine also a factor.

City, County Struggle for Solutions to Overdose Deaths

South-side ZIP code hardest hit. A push for legislation to legalize test strips.

Ortiz-Velez Resolution Supporting Fentanyl Testing Strip Legalization Adopted by County Board

Supervisor Ortiz-Velez Resolution Supporting Fentanyl Testing Strip Legalization Advances

Milwaukee Legislators Push Legalizing Fentanyl Test Strips

Community advocates working with addicts say test strips would save lives.

Milwaukee County Surpasses Last Year’s Record Overdose Deaths

There has already been 435 overdose deaths this year.

Maps Tell Story of City’s Overdose Crisis

2020 on pace to shatter record for drug overdoses. High rate of deaths on South Side.

Milwaukee County Headed for Record Overdoses in 2020

By March the county was significantly ahead of 2019 in the number of deaths.

Peaceful March Snakes Through South Side

March honors Joel Acevedo, who died at hands of off-duty Milwaukee police officer in April

Why the Protests Won’t End

9 reasons why the protests are different this time.

Thousands March While Attorney In Custody For Spitting In Protester’s Face

Giannis and other Bucks players show up at one of seven marches.

8th Night of Marches Leads To South Side

Nitty and Coleman lead marchers through the south side and back.

This Weekend’s George Floyd Protests

List of protests against the killing of George Floyd and police brutality.

Nitty Leads Peaceful March While Protecting Against Assassination

Seventh-day is a charm as two large marches take place without incident

Peaceful March Leader Frank Nitty Arrested

Sheriff's deputies arrested influential leader. Mayor Barrett reportedly opposed detainment.

Frank Nitty in Custody

Shortly after marchers return from the Interstate, Rafael Mercado tells Urban Milwaukee that Frank Nitty has been placed in custody Rafael Mercado tells me Frank Nitty is currently in custody. Has not been let out pic.twitter.com/KpE1ikdtGp — Jeramey Jannene (@compujeramey) June 2, 2020   surreal watching frank nitty’s livestream of his protest AND the chopper cam on the news when he gets bum rushed by the cops and arrested smdh — Lacey Muszynski (@WorthHerSalt) June 2, 2020

Rafael Mercado Speaks to the Crowd

Rafael Mercado reminds the crowd why they march and how to do it. Pointing out that Milwaukee Police Department officer Michael Mattioli is out on $50,000 bail after being charged with killing Joel Acevedo during an illegal house party. Rafael Mercado explains why the group is marching, how it should proceed and what it should ask for (2/) pic.twitter.com/j4qOZj0ya0 — Jeramey Jannene (@compujeramey) June 2, 2020 Rafael Mercado explains why the group is marching, how it should proceed and what it should ask for (4/) pic.twitter.com/CDqnasQnQG — Jeramey Jannene (@compujeramey) June 2, 2020

Peaceful Protesters March Over 12 Miles Across Milwaukee

Several hundred people crisscross the city with a message of frustration, but peace, before curfew went into effect.

County’s Overdose Deaths Up in 2019

At current rate, county would hit highest total of drug fatalities in a decade.

Opioid Addiction Can Be Beaten, Experts Say

Experts and activists meet in Bay View to discuss city’s opioid, heroin, cocaine crisis.

The House Where Addicts Die

Five overdose deaths in eight months at a West Side transitional living center.

Drug-Related Deaths To Hit 420 in 2017

Police targeting opioid suppliers. City-County Task Force struggles to hold meetings.

Opioid Crisis Hits City Hard

County’s huge increase isn’t just suburban whites, city and minority residents hurt, too.