US rapper Meek Mill has accused a Las Vegas hotel of harbouring “extreme racist” views after he threatened with arrest for allegedly trespassing at the establishment.
As TMZ reports, rapper Meek Mill (also known as Robert Williams) has taken to Instagram to share footage of an altercation with a worker at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas hotel.
The video, taken from inside of a vehicle, shows Meek Mill and two other individuals talking to a pair representatives from the hotel, claiming that the rapper would be arrested for “trespassing” were he to exit the car.
“So here’s the deal, right,” one of the hotel employees explains, “we’re a private property; at this time, with the information we have, we’re refusing to do business with you. We have the right to do that.”
Check out the footage from Meek Mill’s Instagram:
When asked for more information, the hotel representatives reveal that they have not been given a reason as to why Meek Mill was trespassed, only that they have been instructed to not allow him on the premises.
Further footage, shared by TMZ, shows one of the hotel representatives explaining to Meek Mill that if he does “not leave these premises immediately, [he] will be subject to arrest for a misdemeanor.”
“Your subsequent return to these premises after being duly warned not to, will subject you to arrest for trespassing,” he explained.
Taking to Instagram, Meek Mill shared his footage of the encounter, claiming that: “Cosmopolitan hotel/casino going to extreme racist levels to keep too many black entertainers and black people …. they said they gone lock me up.. I’m like for what I’ve been once to a party with jayz.”
“Some of these casinos have a bunch of Tatics to keep the level of blacks down …. but love to take our money!!!! This happens to a lot of black entertainers not just me either!! I felt crazy being put out by these white men for no reason!
Check out the footage shared by TMZ:
As Pitchfork notes, Meek Mill’s lawyer, Joe Tacopina, explained that the rapper was there to see a show by DJ Mustard, having only visited there once before, in 2014 when he attended a Jay-Z event with Nicki Minaj.
In a letter penned to the Cosmopolitan’s general counsel and chief compliance officer, Anthony Pearl, Tacopina notes that the hotel “brazenly denied access to Mr. Williams without just cause,” requesting a prompt apology, or else they would “pursue all legal recourse”.
“Despite inquiring as to the reason for his denied access, Mr. Williams was afforded no explanation whatsoever,” Tacopina’s letter reads. “Simply put, your security chief embarrassingly did not even know the reason for Mr. William’s denied entry.”
“Your hotel’s failure to provide a reason for singling our Mr. Williams is incredibly telling. In short, we have learned that the Cosmopolitan maintains a list of African American recording artists who should be denied access for no other reason than their culture and skin color.”
“Such course of conduct constitutes discrimination per se, in violation of state and federal law, and exposes you to significant monetary damages.”
Representatives of the Cosmopolitan have been asked for comment by various publications, but have refused to speak specifically in regards to Meek Mill.
Check out ‘Going Bad’ by Meek Mill:
