The Wilmington Ten were a group of nine black men and one white woman who were wrongfully convicted in 1972 in North Carolina following racial tensions and protests in Wilmington. The group, which included civil rights activists and students, was charged with arson and conspiracy during a time of civil unrest sparked by demands for racial justice and equality.

The convictions were widely seen as unjust and racially motivated, with strong evidence of prosecutorial misconduct and police coercion in obtaining witness testimony. The case gained national and international attention, with civil rights organizations and activists calling for the release of the Wilmington Ten.

After years of legal battles and advocacy efforts, including by organizations such as the NAACP and Amnesty International, the convictions of the Wilmington Ten were overturned in 1980. The case highlighted the systemic racism and injustice faced by black individuals in the criminal justice system, and the perseverance and resilience of those who fought against such injustices.