James Ferguson

James E. “Fergie” Ferguson II dedicated his life to advancing racial justice, equal protection, and fairness under the law. As a longtime leader with the ACLU of North Carolina, including service as General Counsel, he shaped groundbreaking legal strategies that transformed the fight against racial bias in the criminal legal system. His work under the Racial Justice Act set a national model for challenging discrimination in capital punishment. His vision and tenacity left a legacy of justice that continues to guide and strengthen the movement today.

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The Legacy of Justice Award honors a lifelong commitment to civil liberties, carried forward in the work we continue today.