Unfair, unjust, unacceptable: Ferguson protestor’s 8-year sentence for arson is wrong, say comrades

By J.A. Salaam -Staff Writer- | Last updated: Dec 22, 2015 - 8:43:06 AM

Joshua Williams speaks at a National Action Network rally calling attention to the killing of unarmed Black youth. The mercurial 19 year old, active in the recent call for justice over police shootings, was sentenced to 8 years in prison for arson. Photo: Facebook/Free Joshua Williams NOW

CLAYTON, Mo.—One of Ferguson’s youngest protesters, 19-year-old Joshua Williams, has been sentenced to eight years in prison after pleading guilty to igniting a fire inside a convenience store service station in Berkley, Mo., a year ago.

Activists and family members agonized over the sentence, saying a cop killed a Black youth faced no jail time while misdirected action by a teen resulted in incarceration. The fire was set in December 2014 after an officer shot and killed 18-year-old Antonio Martin for allegedly pointing a gun at the officer.

When “Josh,” as the defendant is known, went to the Clayton County Court Building approximately 60 friends and family filled the courtroom to support him.

Joshua Williams. Photo: Facebook/Free Joshua Williams NOW

St. Louis County Circuit Judge John D. Warner, Jr., slapped the teen with eight years in prison for first degree arson, five years for burglary in the first degree and a misdemeanor charge for stealing. He was ordered to serve eight years.

Josh’s guilty plea stemmed from a protest in which he was caught on video entering a QuikTrip, which had initially been broken into by looters, and setting fire to a magazine rack. Judge Warner warned the crowd to behave in his courtroom or leave.

“That judge was not nice at all, he said, ‘your friends are here and feel you are a good kid, well if you all don’t know how to conduct yourself you can leave now.’ We were like we aren’t going nowhere, then he called for a recess giving the police time to get there. We didn’t move, we sat there waiting for him to come back almost 30 minutes later,” said Cathy “Mama Cat” Daniels, a Ferguson Frontline protestor and mother figure for many of the young demonstrators.

“Everyone knows that Josh is a little slow and is not a threat to anybody, he’s so childlike, it just tears my heart apart,” she said.

Several people screamed out in disbelief after the judge finished reading the charges and how much time Josh would be serving. His mother sat quietly during the proceedings. Afterwards she got up and walked out of the courtroom. But she quickly ran back in crying in anguish, throwing her purse and a water bottle toward the bench. She grasped her Bible tightly as she fell to the floor on her knees weeping. Josh panicked when he saw his mother on the floor and attempted to go aid her. He was quickly restrained and removed from the courtroom. Police charged into the room to control the outburst. Prosecutors had sought a 15-year sentence, while Josh’s attorney had asked for a suspended or lesser sentence.

“The judge said he could have done more but because Joshua had family and supporters, he didn’t. There were several Ferguson police officers there too. Why I don’t know, but we can’t allow this to break us down. I was so hurt to see this happen to Joshua. I just cried and cried for him because he didn’t deserve this at all. That’s why we have to continue to fight,” said Bishop Derick Robinson.

Josh’s supporters expressed their displeasure on Twitter, defended him and said his act caused minimal damage. They contrasted how he will be imprisoned for years while Darren Wilson, the former Ferguson police officer who shot and killed Michael Brown, Jr., in August 2014 is still free. Eighteen-year-old Brown’s killing sparked the unrest and protests in Ferguson. Josh was one who rose up as a constant fighter and an influence among protesters.

“Today my heart is broken for a young man who stood up for what he believes in and will spend more in prison than any of the killer cops,” tweeted activist Kayla Reed, who was among those critical of the prosecution’s tactics. I listened to a prosecutor say “we need to make an example of him so others know we won’t tolerate this behavior” with my own ears, she tweeted. She added, “They want to make an example of #Ferguson protestors. In Baltimore officers got charged. In STL, Protesters do.”

Brittany Packnett, a protester, educator and member of the Ferguson Commission, echoed Ms. Reed’s anguish.

“Our hearts are broken. Darren Wilson took a life and won’t ever see the inside of a jail cell. But a protestor will for a long time. Jesus,” tweeted Ms. Packnett. “How Darren Wilson didn’t serve a day and Josh has to serve 13 is one of the most gross injustices I’ve ever seen #Ferguson,” she shared via the social media platform.

Nick Zotos, Josh’s defense attorney, shared the same sentiments as protestors. “I think Josh wound up paying a price for a lot of things going on in Ferguson that he was not responsible for. He is an available fall guy,” said Atty. Zotos. “He did attempt to light a fire, but his sentence is completely disproportionate to the conduct.” After the Dec. 10 sentencing, Josh had 120 days to appeal the judge’s decision.

“We have to keep our conviction to what God called us to do. They want to tear us down to our core but we have to keep fighting. We cannot stop, we just can’t,” said Bishop Derrick Robinson.

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