Social justice activists gather in Philadelphia to explore Meek Mill’s case
The future of Meek Mill’s case has been a major topic of conversation, especially for Philadelphians.
Local social justice leaders and students from all over the city are joining together to host a panel titled, REFORM: Bringing Injustice to Light, to discuss the rapper’s current legal status.
According to Billboard, the panel scheduled for March 13 at 4 p.m. will take place at Philadelphia’s Irvine Auditorium where student-run groups will host the discussion from the University of Pennsylvania (Beyond Arrests: Re-Think Systematic-Oppression, Philadelphia Bail Fund), Temple University (Temple Association of Black Journalists, Hosting Our Own Talks) and Drexel University (NAACP Drexel Chapter, Entertainment and Arts Society).
Meek is currently serving 2–4 years after getting hit with a parole violation late last year. A Philadelphia judge ruled that he violated the gun and drug case against him after his arrest for a fight at St. Louis Airport and another for reckless driving in New York.
The case
According to court documents of the trial, it was Officer Reginald Graham’s account that was largely responsible for Meek Mill’s sentence, reports Page Six. Graham reportedly testified in 2008 that Mill, then 18-years-old, was spotted by police informants selling crack cocaine on a street corner in Philadelphia. Mill denied the claim and attested that he was actually in court supporting his cousin at the time of the exchange.
Meek Mill’s alibi was not considered by the court.
Mill also maintains that during his arrest he was beaten brutally by several officers. Photos of Mill’s allegations have gone viral over the years. During his 2008 trial, the rapper claims that he was handcuffed outside the station, then dragged inside where several police officers beat him until he was unconsciousness.
“I was getting beat by at least four cops,” Mill said, according to the transcripts. “I was laying on my stomach, I was being kicked in my face, punched in my face… I had stitches. I had lumps. If you see my mug shot from the pictures I went out [unconscious] like three times.”
“When you get thrown around with handcuffs, your hands are going to start bleeding….every last cop hit me,” he continued. He also mentioned his braids being ripped out from his head and there was blood on the ceiling.
Officer Graham was the only police officer to testify again Meek Mill.
Motives called into question
From accusations regarding his judge’s character and motivations to a court clerk reportedly soliciting money from Meek Mill, his case has many issues to explore.
A federal investigation has been launched after a court clerk slipped a note to incarcerated rapper Meek Mill asking for money to help pay for her son’s tuition.
According to TMZ, Clerk Wanda Chavarria, who was at the court where Meek was sentenced over his parole violation, asked for help with her son’s Virginia Commonwealth University tuition.
In the note, Chavarria wrote: “My name is Wanda Chavarria and I hope that you don’t take offense to this letter or my request but I had to take this opportunity for my son. As a fan of the Arts (dancing/singing/theater), I’m praying that you will be able to help my son.”
She went on to give her contact information and explained, “This will probably be my son’s last semester at VCU if the tuition isn’t paid for this year and unfortunately with my bad credit, I am unable to secure a loan or co-sign a loan for my son. Anything that you can do is very much appreciated.”
She concluded: “It is every parent’s hope to provide the best for their children. Unfortunately, I am unable to fully financially support Marsell’s dream of going to college and pursuing his dream. So, I am turning to our friends and family for help. IT TAKES A VILLAGE!!! Every little helps – please donate what you can to help him attending VCU.”
According to TMZ, Chavarria hoped to get help from Mill because they both had Philadelphia roots.
The judge reportedly had no knowledge of the request, and Mill did not financially support Chavarria in any way.
Critics have also blasted Judge Genece Brinkley claiming she has a personal vendetta against the Philadelphia rapper. Mill’s lawyer has accused the judge of handing down the tough sentence because Mill didn’t give her a shout-out in a song.
A dirty cop?
Page Six reports that the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office has included Mill’s testifying officer on a list of “dirty” cops, with the intention of getting them blocked from testifying in court. The list of accusations against the officers include “lying, racial bias, brutality or abuse of power.”
The list of corrupt officers was compiled and kept private by Philadelphia’s former district attorney Seth Williams, who is now in jail for corruption.
Defendants and defense lawyers were reportedly not made aware of the list until recently.
Celebrity support
Meek Mill’s mother, Kathy Williams, and lawyer will attend the event, while offering updates on the rappers’ case. TIDAL will live-stream the event worldwide.
The sentence against Meek drew wide criticism and created new debate about prison justice reform. Supporters in the hip-hop community included Jay-Z, T.I., Nipsey Hussle and Rick Ross.
“The sentence handed down by the Judge—against the recommendation of the Assistant District Attorney and Probation Officer—is unjust and heavy handed. 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,” Jay-Z tweeted last year.
This city-wide panel will also include a number social justice and celebrity appearances including Rev. Al Sharpton, who has been pretty active in Mill’s case and visited him at the beginning of his sentence last November.
