Rev. Al Sharpton has stepped in and is doing all he can to free jailed rapper Meek Mill. Meanwhile, Rep. John Conyers has stepped down from the House Judiciary Committee amid sexual assault allegations. But, he hasn’t given up his seat in Congress. More inside…
There was news that Meek Mill was scheduled a new bail hearing today (November 27th), but that’s apparently not the case. A Philadelphia court spokesperson addressed the reports saying reports about a rescheduled bail hearing was an “administrative error,” noting a clerk accidentally scheduled the hearing preemptively and without approval from Judge Gence Brinkley.
Well, Rev. Al Sharpton has come to the MMG rapper’s defense and he’s trying to pull all the stops to get him out of jail.
Sources tell TMZ, Sharpton has teamed up with Meek’s attorney Joe Tacopina to work on getting Judge Gence Brinkley replaced. Not only that, they’re putting the pressure on Philly authorities about the “harsh” punishment she issued to Meek for his probation violation. If you haven’t heard, she sentenced him to 2-4 years in jail. It’s also rumored she requested Meek to do a remake to Boyz II Men’s “On Bended Knee,” and specifically asked for him to give her a shoutout in it.
Sharpton believes he can help Meek just like he did for the late Tupac back in the 90s. The site reports:
Al says he helped negotiate with the warden at NY's Clinton Correctional Facility in the 90s .... to get Tupac released from solitary confinement. He believes that experience will be key to helping Meek in PA.
The Philly rapper had been in solitary due to his celebrity status, but as TMZ first reported ... he was removed at his request.
Al says job one will be making it clear to PA authorities Meek's 2-4 year prison sentence is harsh and unjust ... considering the cases behind his probation violation.
Al will reportedly meet with Meek behind bars today (November 27th).
Do you think Al Sharpton's involvement will help or hurt Meek?
In politics...
Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) is stepping down from his leadership position in the House Judiciary Committee after several female staffers came forward with sexual harassment accusations against him, which prompted an investigation.
Congressman Conyers has vehemently denied the allegations and said he will be vindicated of all allegations made against him.
"After careful consideration and in light of the attention drawn by recent allegations made against me, I have notified the Democratic Leader of my request to step aside as Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee during the investigation of these matters," Rep. Conyers said in a statement Sunday afternoon.
"I deny these allegations, many of which were raised by documents reportedly paid for by a partisan alt-right blogger," the statement continued. "I very much look forward to vindicating myself and my family before the House Committee on Ethics."
He also took to Twitter to make the announcement:
After careful consideration and in light of the attention drawn by recent allegations made against me, I have notified the Democratic Leader of my request to step aside as Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee during the investigation of these matters.
— John Conyers, Jr. (@RepJohnConyers) November 26, 2017
I deny these allegations, many of which were raised by documents reportedly paid for by a partisan alt-right blogger. I very much look forward to vindicating myself and my family before the House Committee on Ethics.
— John Conyers, Jr. (@RepJohnConyers) November 26, 2017
To be clear, I would like very much to remain as Ranking Member. There is still much work to be done on core concerns like securing civil rights, enacting meaningful criminal justice reform, and protecting access to the ballot box.
— John Conyers, Jr. (@RepJohnConyers) November 26, 2017
These challenges could not be more pressing in the face of an Administration that cares little for the rule of law and a President whose actions and conduct cheapens our discourse every day.
— John Conyers, Jr. (@RepJohnConyers) November 26, 2017
But I have come to believe that my presence as Ranking Member on the Committee would not serve these efforts while the Ethics Committee investigation is pending.
— John Conyers, Jr. (@RepJohnConyers) November 26, 2017
I cannot in good conscience allow these charges to undermine my colleagues in the Democratic Caucus, and my friends on both sides of the aisle in the Judiciary Committee and the House of Representatives.
— John Conyers, Jr. (@RepJohnConyers) November 26, 2017
I am proud and fortunate to be part of a legacy of more than 50 years of fighting for civil rights and making our country more equitable and just.
— John Conyers, Jr. (@RepJohnConyers) November 26, 2017
I’ll never allow that legacy – a legacy I owe to my father John Conyers, Sr., who integrated labor unions, or my two amazing sons John III & Carl and my loving wife Monica, and the extraordinary people of Detroit – to be cast aside, or these causes to be in any way diminished.
— John Conyers, Jr. (@RepJohnConyers) November 26, 2017
I am grateful to my colleagues who have called for due process before weighing judgment. I would urge them to continue to do so for any Member accused of wrongdoing. Basic fairness requires no less.
— John Conyers, Jr. (@RepJohnConyers) November 26, 2017
You’ll notice, he didn’t resign from his position as a congressman. Also, it’s reported attorney Lisa Bloom will be representing a woman who filed a sexual harassment complaint against the longest serving member of Congress in 2014.
The high profile attorney is urging the congressman to release the woman from a confidentiality agreement she was “forced to sign” so she can tell her story. It's reported in the past, a female staffer was paid $27,000 to "settle" her sexual harassment case against Conyers and tax payers footed the bill. Congressman Conyers denies this.
This is a just a big old mess.
Photos: Getty