Meek Mill Calls Out Injustice After Bodycam Footage Shows Assault on Inmate Leading to Death
Meek Mill has weighed in on the shocking body camera footage showing corrections officers violently assaulting an inmate, which ultimately led to his death while in custody. On Monday, the Philadelphia-born rapper took to his X (formerly Twitter) account to address the disturbing video that surfaced, depicting the brutal treatment of Robert Brooks, an incarcerated man at a prison in upstate New York.
The footage, which shows officers pinning Brooks, who is restrained in handcuffs, while repeatedly striking him with punches and kicks as he lies unconscious, has sparked outrage and calls for justice. Meek Mill, a long-time advocate for criminal justice reform, shared his thoughts on the footage, saying, “I never fully watched this til today … this what it is for Black men in America if you get caught without them cameras around.” He continued, “If you been to jail b4 you seen this with your own eyes!”
Body Camera Footage Released as Investigation Demanded:
The incident took place on December 10, 2023, at Marcy Correctional Facility in Oneida County, New York. The footage was made public by New York State Attorney General Letitia James on Friday, prompting Governor Kathy Hochul to call for an immediate investigation into Brooks’ death. Governor Hochul also demanded that 14 officers implicated in the assault be dismissed from their positions.
As calls for accountability grow louder, the bodycam footage has fueled ongoing discussions about the treatment of inmates, particularly Black men, within the prison system. Advocates, including Meek Mill, continue to push for systemic change and reform to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.
Meek Mill’s Advocacy for Prison Reform:
Meek Mill has been an outspoken advocate for prison reform and social justice for years. In 2019, he partnered with JAY-Z, Michael Rubin, Robert Kraft, and others to launch the REFORM Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing issues related to probation, parole, and sentencing laws. Through lobbying and legislative efforts, the organization has achieved significant victories in several states, working to create a fairer and more just legal system.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, REFORM played a critical role in supporting prison welfare by distributing 12.5 million masks and PPE to both inmates and correctional staff. The organization’s work has had a lasting impact on prison reform, and its recent agreement with the United Nations in October 2023 ensures the protection of rights for individuals transitioning back into society from prison and navigating probation or parole.
Conclusion:
The release of the bodycam footage showing the assault on Robert Brooks has sparked widespread outrage and renewed calls for prison reform. Meek Mill’s comments further highlight the ongoing issues faced by Black men in the criminal justice system, and his involvement with REFORM continues to be an important part of the fight for justice. As authorities investigate the incident and demand accountability, the conversation about the need for systemic change in the prison system is more urgent than ever.