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Philadelphia native Meek Mill got emotional while celebrating a victory in Pennsylvania’s efforts for prison reform.
According to NBC10 Philadelphia, the state’s governor, Josh Shapiro, signed the Pennsylvania Probation Reform Bill #SB838 on Thursday, December 14. The outlet reports that the bill will keep more criminal records of the state’s “sealed from public view.”
Additionally, the legislation aims to “limit the length of probation” and prevent people from being sent back to jail after minor probation violations.
NBC10 Philadelphia reports that Pennsylvania is the “state with one of the highest rates of residents who are incarcerated or under supervision.”
The outlet notes that the bill was passed in the House and Senate with “large majorities” on Wednesday, December 13. That evening, rapper Meek Mill took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share his excitement for the bill’s passing.
Meek Mill has advocated for criminal justice reform since he received a two-to-four-year prison sentence in 2017. According to CBS News, at the time, the rapper reportedly violated the terms of his probation from a 2008 gun and drug case by engaging in a physical altercation and popping wheelies on a dirt bike.
According to the New York Post, the rapper spent several months in prison before his conviction was overturned in 2019.
In January, Tom Wolf, the former governor of Pennsylvania even pardoned Meek Mill’s original gun and drug charges. According to the outlet, the rapper caught the charges when he was 18 years old.
“I got pardoned today …, I’m taking things really far from being a trench baby!” Meek Mill wrote on X, at the time.
According to NBC10 Philadelphia, Meek Mill joined Governor Shapiro for ceremonial signing of the bill on Friday, December 15. The rapper became emotional while reflecting on his run-ins with the law and how he’s became a figure for criminal justice reform.
“There’s alot of young men who follow me in the street and they don’t really know through to like, even be in these places with government officials,” Meek explained. “To even change my life and get on a stage to be able to speak for a lot of people. I didn’t ask for this position… it’s not for clout. It’s something that I stand for and something that I live for.”
Watch the rapper’s speech below.
Social media users entered The Shade Room’s comment section to share their support for the rapper and his criminal justice efforts.
“I felt every word. This is a huge deal for black men and women, mostly. He does it for his ppl and I will ALWAYS respect him for that.”
“Voice for the voiceless. Congrats Meek. Keep going!!!”
“This is excellent. His tears are a mix of all the emotions he went through himself, and the willingness to fight for a change and better way for the youth. This is beautiful ❤️”
