It’s been just about five months since the Philadelphia rapper Meek Mill was sentenced to serve two-to-four years in prison for violating a probation.
The Philadelphia Supreme Court overturned his controversial conviction and granted Meek Mill, born Robert Rihmeek Williams, an immediate release from prison, directing the judge to release him on “unsecured bail.” Philadelphia 76ers co-owner Michael Rubin, one of Meek’s good friends, announced on his Instagram that Meek is free after both he and comedian Kevin Hart visited the rapper.
https://instagram.com/p/Bh91GFcgm0J/?utm_source=ig_embed
Online social media channels exploded with the news of his release. Even John Anderson on ESPN’s SportsCenter shouted “Free Meek Mill!” as the program’s 6 p.m. show opened. Later in the program, ESPN reporter Sal Paolantonio confirmed that Rubin went to pick up Meek Mill at the prison “with the intent that [he] will ring the ceremonial bell for the start of game 5 [of the 76ers vs Miami Heat].” Paolantonio said it was “interesting [that] the last person to ring the bell in game 2 was Kevin Hart,” who joined Rubin earlier in the day.
Thought the prison is 10 miles from the arena, video from NBC10 Philadelphia showed the rapper exiting an SUV and entering a helicopter, presumably headed right for Wells Fargo Center.
#BREAKING WATCH LIVE: @MeekMill leaves prison: https://t.co/1WvmVcE4Bf pic.twitter.com/9hlxBz9SxN
— NBC10 Philadelphia (@NBCPhiladelphia) April 24, 2018
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥@MeekMill arrives at @sixers game
Meek told me “I feel great”#MeekMill#PhilaUnite pic.twitter.com/nMEEy0AX0P
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) April 24, 2018
.@MeekMill has arrived.#PhilaUnite x #HereTheyCome pic.twitter.com/pub80aDdnI
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) April 24, 2018
Footage of him walking into the locker room:
Meek Mill heading into Sixers locker room. pic.twitter.com/HnFxwRBNLi
— Noah Levick (@NoahLevick) April 24, 2018
I’d like to thank God, my family, and all my public advocates for their love, support and encouragement during this difficult time. While the past five months have been a nightmare, the prayers, visits, calls, letters and rallies have helped me stay positive.
— Meek Mill (@MeekMill) April 24, 2018
To the Philly District Attorney’s office, I’m grateful for your commitment to justice. I understand that many people of color across the country don’t have that luxury and I plan to use my platform to shine a light on those issues.
— Meek Mill (@MeekMill) April 24, 2018
In the meantime, I plan to work closely with my legal team to overturn this unwarranted conviction and look forward to reuniting with my family and resuming my music career.
— Meek Mill (@MeekMill) April 24, 2018
