Protesters in Philadelphia protesting sentencing of Meek Mill. #meekmill #philly pic.twitter.com/KbWHrE3eCA
— Atlanta Black Star (@ATLBlackStar) November 14, 2017
The support for Meek Mill continues to build after a judge sentenced the rapper to prison for probation violation. “Rally For Meek” took place at Philadelphia’s Criminal Justice Center Monday, Nov. 13. A poster for the event has circulated on social media, with celebrities like Kevin Hart and The Root’s Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter sharing the poster.
Among the rally’s attendees include Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins and Philadelphia 76ers’ legend Julius “Dr. J” Erving, according to Fox 29. Rick Ross is also expected to appear, sources told TMZ.
I stand for @meekmill. I hope my city does the same. pic.twitter.com/DknOaaGrwG
— Black Thought (@blackthought) November 13, 2017
The Philly native was sentenced to two to four years in a state prison Monday, Nov. 6 for violating the probation in a 2008 gun and drug case. Philadelphia Common Pleas Judge Genece Brinkley cited a failed drug test and a failure to comply with a court-ordered travel restriction as the reasons.
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However, the rapper’s legal team is working to have Brinkley removed from the case. Attorney Joseph Tacopina confirmed to Billboard that he filed a motion for Brinkley’s removal. The judicial conduct board will also get an official complaint from Tacopina over her sentence against Meek.
Tacopina believes the sentencing shows Brinkley has a “personal vendetta” against his client. He told Billboard the judge has crossed the “line of professionalism” by asking Meek to re-record Boyz II Men’s “On Bended Knee” and include a tribute and shout out to her.
“And [Meek], of course, was laughing and thought it was a joke, she said, ‘I’m serious.’ He refused to do that,” Tacopina said. “So, that, right there, was a totally inappropriate request. When she requests he leaves his current management Roc Nation — which is one of the most important management companies in the world — and goes back to a local Philadelphia guy who has a spotted past because she had a personal relationship with him as manager, again, she’s doing something that a judge would never be doing, having a personal interest.”
