Meek Mill's Sentencing Generates Protest, Calls For Probation And Parole Reform

This past Monday evening, hundreds of supporters showed up outside Philadelphia's Criminal Justice Center to protest a ruling that sent rapper Meek Mill back to prison over violations of his probation. There was signage, chanting and hashtags (#FreeMeek and #RallyForMeek) associated with the demonstration in hopes of getting the event trending online. Member station covered the rally, reporting that the crowd included activists, athletes and rappers campaigning for Meek's pardoning and, more widely, reforms of the criminal justice system that they say are to blame for the perceived severity of his sentence. Meek's Maybach Music Group label boss, Rick Ross, made a speech in the middle of the crowd and at one point, hundreds recited one of Meek's most famous songs, the triumphant off his