Jeremy Meeks says criminal justice system ‘wasn’t made for people of colour’

‘The system is all a design to keep people in the projects and the ghetto with no resources and no education,’ says model

(Getty Images)

Jeremy Meeks has said that the criminal justice system was not built to support people of colour.

The former gang member, who was sentenced to over two years in federal prison over illegal gun possession and gang-related crime, appeared on Good Morning Britain on Friday to discuss the Black Lives Matter movement.

“The system is all a design to keep people in the projects and the ghetto with no resources and no education,” said Meeks, whose mugshot went viral in 2014 after he was dubbed “the hot felon”.

“In public schools, you’re being taught how to be an employee.

“In private schools and good schools, you’re being taught how to run a business. You are given nowhere near the opportunities or chances.”

The 36-year-old continued: “The system is not broken, a lot of people say that the system is broken. It’s not broken, it just was not designed for people of colour.”

Meeks added that it’s disheartening to see how prevalent the issue of racism remains around the world.

“It’s very sad that in the year 2020 we are still talking about civil rights,” the model said.

“That’s it, civil, the right to be civil. In 2020.”

Meeks has previously spoken about being part of the notorious North Side Gangster Crips when he was imprisoned, but now has a fledgeling modelling career.

He went on to explain that he has been a victim of unjust police treatment several times, and that he finds it upsetting to see reports of peaceful protesters being arrested.

“If you see the videos and you see people handcuffed and they pose no threat whatsoever, it doesn’t matter if you have a record or not,” he said.