Hundreds of people took to the streets of Philadelphia Monday night to protest the incarceration of Meek Mill.
The rally kicked off at 5 p.m. ET in front of Philly’s Criminal Justice Center, where fans, celebrities, and activists called for the rapper’s controversial sentence to be overturned. Celebrities like Rick Ross, Freeway, NBA legend Julius Erving, as well as Philadelphia Eagles’ Malcolm Jenkins and Vinny Curry participated in the protest.
"I’m here for one reason: I’m here to support my brother Meek Mill," Ross told the crowd. "[…] This type of wrongful incarceration has unfortunately become the calling card in urban cities around the U.S."
Ross continued, "It wasn’t simply a miscarriage of justice, it was an abortion of justice."
You can check out photos and videos from the night’s rally below.
#Eagles players Malcolm Jenkins, Torrey Smith, Wendell Smallwood and Malcolm Jenkins are here at a rally for rapper Meek Mill. pic.twitter.com/3tSlJfkHS2
Judge Genece Brinkley sentenced Meek last week to two-four years in prison for violating the terms of his probation, stemming from a 2008 drug and gun conviction. Many have called the judge’s ruling harsh and unjust, while Meek’s legal team insists the judge has a vendetta against the rapper.
Attorney Joe Tacopina claims Brinkley met with Meek a year ago and asked him to do a remake of the Boyz II Men song "On Bended Knee" and give her a shoutout. When Meek laughed it off as a joke, the judge allegedly replied, "OK, suit yourself."
Since the sentencing, Tacopina has filed a motion to have Brinkley remove herself from the case. The attorney also said Meek is seeking a pardon from the state of Pennsylvania.
Celebrities including Jay Z, ASAP Ferg, and Colin Kaepernick have also showed their support for Meek since the sentencing. Kaepernick recently addressed the situation on Twitter, calling for an overhaul of the criminal justice system.
