John, last year, I was arrested for fighting for reproductive freedom.

When Roe v. Wade was overturned, it was devastating. Millions of women lost the right to bodily autonomy. I was outraged and heartbroken. My response? I chose to take to the streets. I chose to fight back.

Because I knew what life without reproductive freedom meant. As a teenager, I got pregnant. And with the help of my mother, I made the decision to get an abortion. But with no access to the health care I needed in the U.S., I had to travel from my home in California to Mexico to receive an abortion.

I knew that I could die – because at the time, Black women were disproportionately dying from septic abortions. I knew that I could be put in jail because it was a criminal offense. 

So it devastates me to know that people today may feel the same fear as I did decades ago.

That's why I marched for reproductive freedom and refused to relent – even when the police were called. Because I knew it was my duty to do everything in my power to protect the right to choose and keep another girl from feeling how I once did.

But the hard truth is that millions of people will continue to feel the same fear I did unless we pass federal legislation to guarantee reproductive freedom. That's one of the main reasons why I'm running for Senate, so I can help push this lifesaving legislation through – but I can only get there with your help. 

Right now, I'm falling behind where I need to be for the quarter, so please: Can I count on you to rush a donation of $5 or more now so I can bring my fight for reproductive freedom to the Senate?

Thank you.

Barbara Lee