The Reverend Al Sharpton and his National Action Network recently traveled to Philadelphia, in support of rapper Meek Mill and to host the rally to call for his freedom.
Meek is an example of the flaws in the American justice system.
While people who shoot. maim and even kill others can walk free almost the same amount of time, Meek is sitting behind bars for 2 to 4 years, for a series of minor offenses he committed while he was on probation from a 2008 drug and gun case.
Reverend Al Sharpton isn’t the only powerful person supporting Meek, who is gained support from celebrities like Jay-Z, Colin Kaepernick, and others.
Now, a new, powerful political organization is also backing Meek Mill and calling for a reform to the justice system.
#cut50, is an initiative of The Dream CorpsÂ, is a national bipartisan effort to reduce the number of people in our prisons and jails while making our communities safer.
“These systemic abuses cannot and should not be tolerated, and Meek’s case gives us the opportunity to chart a new path forward.” – Jessica Jackson, Executive Director of #cut50.
The organization envisions a criminal justice system that recognizes the humanity of the 2.2 million people currently behind bars in America and moves toward compassion and treatment rather than punishment and incarceration.
Meek Mill’s team has filed three motions.
Motion for Recusal
The defendant requested the recusal of Judge Genece E. Brinkley in this case and that the President Judge, or the Supervising Judge of the Trial Division, Criminal Section, assign a new judge for any further proceedings.
Motion to Modify Sentence
The defendant requested the termination of his probation, release from confinement and resentencing to a term of time served.
Motion for Bail
The defendant requested unsecured bail on the same terms and conditions which applied to his probation prior to August 1, 2017.
The Commonwealth of Philadelphia will not file any opposition to the three motions that Mill’s attorneys have submitted over the past week.
Both the Commonwealth – represented by the Assistant District Attorney – and Mill’s Probation Officer recommended against the 30-year-old’s imprisonment during his hearing on November 6.
Brinkley has yet to respond to the motions, the first of which was filed to the Philadelphia Common Pleas Court on November 14 by Meek’s legal team.
Meek Mill was originally scheduled for a bail hearing on November 27 at 9 a.m. ET only for the Philadelphia courts to cancel the appointment for what they deemed “an administrative error.”
If Brinkley fails to answer the motions, Tacopina and McMonagle intend to appeal to the Superior Court.
#cut50 continues to reiterate that Mill’s case typifies deep cracks and fissures in the criminal justice reform system, and these motions further bolster that claim.
The public is no safer with Mill behind bars, and his separation from family only serves to risk severing his bond with his family.
“There are over 61,000 men and women behind bars for minor violations of their parole and probation this holiday season. Worse yet, precious taxpayer resources that could be used to prevent future crimes are instead being spent to keep them there.” – Shaka Senghor, #cut50 Director of Strategy and Innovation.
