'Meatball' lawyer says that the looter and streamer is a victim of racial persecution

The lawyer for Dayjia Blackwell, better known as "Meatball," claims that it is racist that her client is facing six charges after last week's looting in Philadelphia. Jessica Mann, who is handling the Meatball case, wrote a statement on social media attacking the press and the courts and accusing them of racism.

In the post, Mann says that the media's portrayal of her client represents an "all-out assault on black and brown people, as their character and actions are mercilessly vilified." Mann goes on to describe her client as a jovial, energetic and innocent person with a "unique ability to bring smiles to the faces of all who encounter her work."

Although the charges against Meatball are related to the looting in downtown Philadelphia, the influencer's lawyer tries to emphasize that her client was protesting the death of a young man at the hands of the police.

Meatball rose to fame after her videos and the mugshot that the Philadelphia Police published went viral. In the videos, Meatball is seen participating in the looting of several stores, laughing and encouraging other individuals to loot the businesses.

Looting Apple and Lululemon

During the riots, a mob took control of the streets of the city of Philadelphia, entering storefronts like Apple, Lululemon, liquor stores and other businesses to take products. On Blackwell's profile, she is seen participating in these acts. At the end of the live stream, police officers arrest Blackwell, who acts indignantly and claims to have done nothing.

According to Fox, Meatball spent the night in jail, along with 50 others detained for the protests and looting. That Thursday, she was released after posting $25,000 bail, and her tearful mugshot was released.

Blackwell was quick to react to her newfound fame in the media. Since she was released on bail, she has claimed to be innocent and not to have participated in the looting. Her version of the events is that she was only there to record. She also released and sold a various merchandise featuring her mugshot photo.