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As we previously reported, Meek Mill was sentenced to 2-4 years in prison for violating probation on a 2008 drug and weapons conviction, and the hip-hop community has since reacted.
JAY-Z for one — who’s openly supported Meek’s career for years — took to Facebook to slam the judge’s decision and said it was completely unacceptable. The Brooklyn rapper also stated that he’d help Mill with an appeal and eventually get him back to making music again.
“The sentence handed down by the Judge—against the recommendation of the Assistant District Attorney and Probation Officer—is unjust and heavy handed,” wrote JAY. “We will always stand by and support Meek Mill, both as he attempts to right this wrongful sentence and then in returning to his musical career.”
Mill’s attorney Joe Tacopina also blasted Genece Brinkley, who’s the judge in the case, especially since the prosecutors didn’t recommend any jail time at all.
Additionally, Tacopina told TMZ that Brinkley has shown bias against his client, and last year during a meeting in chambers she asked him to remake the Boyz II Men hit “On Bended Knee” and give her a shout-out. But Meek refused, and she answered by saying “Okay, suit yourself.”
JAY-Z and Tacopina’s words mirror what others have said about Mill’s probation being unjust, and last year his fans took to the streets to protest. Many carried signs that read “Stop Probation Abuse” and “Free Meek From His Abusive Probation” and pointed to a long standing history of the criminal justice system showing huge inconsistencies in who it convicts.
Meek has also spoken about his probation in the past, and in 2014 he blasted the Philadelphia prosecutors and accused them of being racists.
“Every time I go to probation it’s a new thing,” he wrote in now deleted tweets. “The D.A. on my case [is] a racist. I caught that case when I was 18 [and], she’s still bothering me … I want every piece of press to see the way they try to handle my case, because I’m famous … I been on probation almost six years without going back to jail … I’ve been going to see probation every 30 days for almost 6 years.”
Meek also addressed his 2015 legal woes, when he was facing jail time for violating probation for traveling without permission and submitting a dirty urine sample. He blasted the people on social media for joking about his problems as well.
“I’m actually fighting for my life and freedom,” he wrote. “Something I’ve been going through from a case I caught at 19 years old and been on probation since. I am 28 now. It’s funny to see people on the Internet laughing and joking about me and my family going through these things. It just shows me where the world is at nowadays.”
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Throughout his music career, Mill has received support from many people both in and out the hip-hop community, and a good number of well-known figures have addressed this most recent sentencing.
Like T.I., for example, who’s had his own run-ins with the legal system when he was hit with a federal weapons charges in 2007.
“Was with you then and we still with you now,” he wrote to Meek next to an old photo. “This too shall pass.”
Kevin Hart sent some words of encouragement too. “Praying for my brother @meekmill right now,” he wrote. “God sometimes puts the toughest battles on his strongest soldiers. I’m here for you, man.”
Other’s sent support as well, like the Bronx rapper A Boogie wit da Hoodie, NBA Star Isaiah Thomas and the rapper YG, to name a few.
You can see some of those messages below.
To be yung Blac and successful YOU ENEMY NUMBER 1. HOLD YO HEAD @MeekMill streets chose u💪🏽🏁
— THA GREAT (@NipseyHussle) November 6, 2017
That Philly Judge had it out for Meek..
— djenvy (@djenvy) November 6, 2017
https://www.instagram.com/p/BbLIwq-jXVn/
the system is rigged man. the fact he was on probation for 10yrs over sum paper wk is a set up! shit makes me so sad. prayin 4 u @MeekMill
— Angie Martinez (@angiemartinez) November 7, 2017
https://www.instagram.com/p/BbLKTpODIaJ/
https://twitter.com/Isaiah_Thomas/status/927715530848587776
FREE MEEK
— yg (@YG) November 7, 2017
https://www.instagram.com/p/BbMyRBqlZru/
Praying for my dawg @MeekMill nothing funny about anybody losing there freedom #buganation #Dreamchasers
— 7⃣ Leonard Fournette (@_fournette) November 7, 2017
