Civil Rights Groups Urge NC Court to Overturn No-Contact Order Against Activist
Civil rights organizations, including the ACLU, are urging a North Carolina appeals court to overturn a no-contact order against Durham activist Amanda Wallace. The order, issued on behalf of Durham County DSS Director Maggie Clapp, is being challenged on the…
Raleigh Durham, NC, August 18, 2026 —
Civil rights organizations, led by the ACLU, are calling on a North Carolina appeals court to reverse a no-contact order issued against Durham activist Amanda Wallace. The order, which was sought by Durham County DSS Director Maggie Clapp, is being contested on the grounds that it infringes upon Wallace’s First Amendment rights.
The legal challenge asserts that the no-contact order improperly restricts Wallace’s ability to engage in speech and advocacy, particularly concerning her criticism of a public official. Furthermore, opponents of the order argue that its language is too vague, creating a chilling effect on her broader activism and engagement in public discourse.
The organizations contend that the order, by limiting Wallace’s communication and advocacy, serves to suppress protected speech related to the actions and performance of public officials. They believe that such restrictions are not only unconstitutional but also detrimental to the public’s right to hold officials accountable through open criticism and advocacy.
The appeal to the North Carolina court aims to establish a precedent that protects the rights of activists and citizens to voice concerns about public figures and government actions without fear of legal reprisal through measures like no-contact orders, particularly when the language of such orders is broadly applied and lacks clear specificity.
Story summarized from the original created by Lena Geller on indyweek.com, see more information here.
