Joseph Williams, 49, a chronically homeless man, was arrested on June 28 and charged with two felony counts of camping on state property after police found him living in a public park in East Nashville. He spent nine days in jail before the felony charges were dismissed by a judge. After his release, he returned to the park.

When Joseph Lamont Williams refused to leave the public park where he has lived for years, he was charged with a felony. Camping bans are on the rise as states seek to crack down on homelessness.

(Image credit: Erica Lynn for NPR)

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