Ferguson activist Joshua “Josh” Williams has been released from prison after serving nearly 12 years behind bars in connection with a fire at a QuikTrip convenience store in Berkeley.
Williams, who was heavily involved in the Ferguson uprising following the 2014 police killing of Michael Brown, was 19 when he was arrested in December of that year. He pleaded guilty to first-degree arson, second-degree burglary and stealing in connection with the fire. The incident occurred during protests following the Dec. 23, 2014, fatal shooting of Antonio Martin, an 18-year-old Black teenager, by a white Berkeley police officer outside a nearby gas station.
Originally sentenced to eight years in prison, Williams served additional time after receiving charges while incarcerated. His original sentence drew criticism from civil rights advocates and community leaders who argued that the punishment was excessive…