29 September 2023 , 15:46
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A mugshot turned into a marketing opportunity for viral social media influencer Meatball, who was just arrested last week on charges related to vandalism and looting.
The proceeds from the merch seem to not only be aimed at bolstering the Philadelphia-based influencer's business but also targeted at releasing her and potentially acquitting her of the charges she accrued.
Meatball was among the 52 looters and rioters arrested in Philadelphia after a peaceful protest against a judge's decision to dismiss murder charges against a police officer who shot and killed Eddie Irizarry through a car window. Around 100 rioters donned masks and wreaked havoc on shops, inciting mass panic and terror in the city centre. The police later said the two events — the protest and the riot — seemed to be totally unrelated.
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Meatball took to Instagram to promote her new merch, based on her mugshot (dayjiamainpage/Instagram)
A pink hoodie being sold by Meatball for $45 (freemeatball.shop)Livestreaming throughout the entire event to her nearly 200,000 followers on Instagram, Meatball, whose real name is Dayjia Blackwell, boasted about filching a bottle of Hennessy from a previously raided liquor store. "Tell the police if they lock me up tonight it's going to be lit, it's going to be a movie! Everybody's gotta eat!" she said in her livestream.
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She was subsequently arrested and charged with criminal conspiracy, criminal mischief, riot and disorderly conduct, totaling six felonies when it was all said and done. She then had an iconic mugshot taken, which pictured her crying in the shot. It garnered responses similar to those related to the mugshot of Donald Trump from his most recent indictment in August.
Now, much like Trump, Meatball is using her booking image to promote her brand, sharing a post on her Instagram of the image superimposed over text that said: "MEATBALL MERCH." The caption reads: "Link in bio."
Looters smash the windows of an Apple Store in Philadelphia (Instagram)
Meatball was arrested after livestreaming the lootins (dayjiamainpage/Instagram)Clicking that link reveals a wealth of T-shirts and hoodies with mugshots on them. They came in three different colours — black, pink and red — and were being sold for $45 (£36.84) per hoodie or $35 (£28.65) per T-shirt.
Her Instagram story contained a link to the shop as well, preceded by several reposts from people commenting on graffiti that had popped up all over Philadelphia in support of Meatball's predicament. She also detailed her struggles.
The promotions seemed to work, as she later posted a story that said: "Sorry, as y'all can see, it's a lot going on tomorrow. I'll be shipping out all orders and also will be doing deliveries." She added pics of the dozens of bags and boxes full of the merch she was to ship out.
Broken glass litters the ground around a looted store — a scene similar to that of many other storefronts (AP)Among the dozens of other people charged were three minors. The group of rioters ranged in age from 14 to 37, and there were 14 women charged. They are all accused of raiding, burglarising and terrorising stores like Aldi, Footlocker and LULU Lemon as well as several liquor stores and pharmacies, according to Jane Roh, a spokesperson for the Philadelphia district attorney's office.
There were also seven cars stolen. The police have since ramped up their presence in the city, according to an X post (formerly known as a Tweet). "We made dozens of arrests last night (with more to come), and we're ready to make more. Please call 911 if you are aware of any ongoing criminal activity. #SeeSomethingSaySomething," the post reads.