Starbucks is under fire after a Philadelphia location became the center of controversy after two Black men were arrested for simply waiting for another friend without purchasing anything. Video footage showed cops explaining that the men were being arrested for "trespassing" which has stirred up calls for to protest the coffee house. Although the men were released from jail the fact that they were arrested in the first place is problematic but the consequences could be dire for others who have criminal records.
Speaking from prison on CNN, Meek Mill talked about the situation and the potential fallout an incident such as the Starbucks encounter could have for someone in his situation:
“If I would’ve got locked up just for sitting in Starbucks by mistake and got a technical violation, legally, a judge would be able to sentence me for two-to-four years, three to six years, five to 10 years just for having police contact. I don’t think nobody should lose their freedom for not even getting committing crime. I was found guilty of a crime I didn’t even commit in 2008 or 9. I’m in a state penitentiary right now, still because of that case.”
Check out the clip above at the 6:12 mark for Meek's full comments.
