Dear John,

Tonight’s State of the Union address promises to be a string of lies and attacks on vulnerable communities — in keeping with the track record of the Trump-Pence administration. Fortunately for you, we’ll be watching tonight so you don’t have to!

While the specifics of what Trump might say is unknown, we can expect that he will continue to amplify blatant misinformation about abortion care in order to score political points — just as he did in last year’s address.

But make no mistake, John: despite the inflammatory rhetoric and dangerous agenda out of the Trump-Pence administration, states and cities are stepping up to expand reproductive freedom, as voters across the country clearly demand that it’s time to change direction.

In Virginia, just a few miles away from D.C., advocates and activists are celebrating the movement of the Reproductive Health Protection Act, a bill that will eliminate medically unnecessary restrictions for patients seeking access to abortion. Despite all the bullying and fear-mongering from Trump down to anti-abortion state legislators, Virginians elected a pro-choice state legislature, and are turning the tide in their state. And they’re not alone: nine other states protected rights and expanded access to abortion care in the last year. This is the change we can make by electing loud and proud supporters of abortion accesss. We should never normalize Trump’s atrocious behavior. Instead, it should catalyze us to proclaim our values and share a more proactive vision.

John, know that NIRH and advocates all over the country are continuing to fight. If you’re one of the 8 in 10 people who support access to abortion, share this graphic before the State of the Union tonight.

In solidarity,