[videowaywire video_id=”242A5662302D3E39″]
*Meek Mill’s hometown NBA team made him guest of honor Tuesday upon his release from prison, as the rapper sat courtside to watch his Philadelphia 76ers face the Miami Heat in the playoffs.
Shortly after the 30-year-old rapper was set free, 76ers co-owner Michael Rubin picked him up in a helicopter and that carried him directly to the Wells Fargo Center, where he was greeted by both fans and the 76ers players.
Meek Mill, born Robert Rihmeek Williams, opened Game 5 by ringing the ceremonial pre-game bell ― a replica of the Liberty Bell ― as fans in the arena exploded with cheers.
Williams had been serving two to four years at the Pennsylvania State Correctional Facility for violating probation that stemmed from a decade-old drug and guns violation. The probation violations involved 2017 arrests for a fight and for popping wheelies on a dirt bike.
His original Nov. 6 sentencing sparked nationwide protests, with allies saying his sentencing was an example of how the justice system treats people of color unfairly. In a November op-ed for the New York Times, Jay-Z pointed out that Williams was 19 when he was arrested on the gun and drug charges and had already served an eight-month sentence.
On Tuesday, a Pennsylvania Supreme Court ordered Williams’ release and directed a judge to grant him bail due to “credibility issues” with a police officer who was a witness in his 2008 conviction.
After his release, Williams said in a statement that the five months he spent in prison “have been a nightmare.”
“To the Philly District Attorney’s office, I’m grateful for your commitment to justice,” Meek said. “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.”
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf responded to Williams’ statement by calling for criminal justice reform.
“[Meek Mill’s] case has brought hundreds of thousands to call for change in PA,” Wolf tweeted. “We need to make our system more fair, more equitable, and more focused on rehabilitation.”
Comedian Kevin Hart, seated next to Meek courtside after celebrating with him behind the scenes, joined Rubin to visit the rapper in prison earlier Tuesday. Hart spoke to the press after his visit.
Watch below:
BTW, Philly won the game to close out its first round playoff series.
See more video and pics from Meek’s release and his 76ers experience below and at right:
Meek Mill is home. pic.twitter.com/IaRWX7Exxf
— Karen Civil (@KarenCivil) April 24, 2018
.@MeekMill has arrived.#PhilaUnite x #HereTheyCome pic.twitter.com/pub80aDdnI
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) April 24, 2018
? @MeekMill & @KevinHart4real courtside for @MiamiHEAT/@Sixers Game 5. #NBAPlayoffs #NBACelebRow pic.twitter.com/3wUwPJmaCA
— NBA (@NBA) April 25, 2018
Kevin Hart PUMPED about watching the 76ers game courtside with Meek Mill: “We back like we never left” pic.twitter.com/5G4NwU4b3i
— Alysha Tsuji (@AlyshaTsuji) April 24, 2018
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