What role does the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) play in the book?

The Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) serves as a nonprofit organization founded by Bryan Stevenson with the primary mission of providing legal representation to those who have been marginalized, particularly individuals on death row and those facing extreme sentences in the criminal justice system. Throughout "Just Mercy," the EJI's work illustrates the systemic injustices within the legal framework, as Stevenson and his team take on cases that highlight the failures of the justice system, particularly in relation to race and poverty. By offering legal assistance, raising awareness, and pushing for reform, the EJI embodies the themes of mercy, justice, and the fight against wrongful convictions that are central to the book's narrative.