Meek Mill’s grandmother Ms. Parker – the same Grandma he raps about on the title track of Wins and Losses – stood among hundreds of supporters of her grandson Monday evening in downtown Philadelphia.
Family, friends, fans, and celebrities came out Philadelphia’s Criminal Justice Center to rally in protest of Meek’s recent two to four-year sentence for probation violation this month. Chants of “free Meek Mill” and “fuck the judge” rang out in the air as a large crowd formed outside the courthouse. MMG Boss Rick Ross, Meek’s Dream Chasers crew, entertainment mogul Charlie Mack, Freeway, executives from Roc Nation, PNB Rock, Macklemore, Hall of Fame basketball player “Dr. J” Julius Erving, Philadelphia 76ers co-owner Mike Rubin, and members of the Philadelphia Eagles were among the recognizable faces in the crowd. Meek’s family including his mother and one of his sisters were also present.
Meek Mill gets support from Rick Ross, Julius Erving, more at rally in Philadelphia
It was rainy, cold, and crowded, but Ms. Parker stood tall using her cane. Her white tee with a picture of a young Meek with braids peeked out underneath her red, white and black MMG jacket with the words “Dream Chasers” on the back. Her eyes lit up with pride when she talked about the large show of devotion for Meek.
“To think where he came from,” she said.
“His father was killed in the street when he was five years old but [Meek] made it. He made it. He made it. With the help of his mother. Strong woman, she kept him going. I hope this rally would be of some help.”
Ross spoke to the crowd calling Meek’s sentence “an abortion of justice.” He also referred to his label’s franchise player as a “great leader and great example. A great entrepreneur.”
In recent days JAY-Z, Collin Kaepernick and Kevin Hart are among the high powered, high profile names who have publicly expressed support for Mill.
Charlie Mack said one of the main objectives of the rally, and the portions to “Free Meek Mill” which started a few days ago on social media, is to get the judge on Meek’s case recused. Meek Mill’s lawyer has said that Judge Genece Brinkley has a vendetta against the rapper, claiming that she showed up at his community service requirement, and urged Meek Mill to leave Roc Nation to sign with her friend for management.
All the attention on the case may be paying off. According to reports Monday night, the FBI is investigating potential criminal wrongdoing by Brinkley.