Indivisibles,

It is unconscionable how little we as a nation provide for pregnant Americans. 

• We don’t provide comprehensive education surrounding pregnancy
• We don’t provide the nutrition necessary to increase the odds of a healthy pregnancy
• We don’t provide them with free health care coverage throughout their pregnancy
• We don’t provide them with adequate leave post-pregnancy
• We don’t provide them with support if they choose to deliver their baby but cannot take care of it
• We don’t provide them with support if they choose to deliver their baby and want to take care of it

And in a post-Roe world where nearly half of the country has now either explicitly or de facto banned abortion, that refusal to support people through their pregnancy is being compounded by attacking those whose pregnancies aren’t even viable. Women and those who can become pregnant are being forced to take unimaginable risks during what should be a private moment of pain and grief. 

A horrific moment of unavoidable sadness is being criminalized to the benefit of no one. 

Anti-choice zealots will not stop until they have total control of our health and our bodies -- even during the most vulnerable moments of our lives. No matter where you live, our reproductive freedom is at risk, and we all must sound the alarm. Write a letter to the editor about the harsh realities of Republican abortion laws, so that we can spotlight this monstrous agenda and make sure voters across the country can help stop it.

Kate Cox

Last week, after a Texas judge granted Kate Cox the permission she needed to seek an abortion for her non-viable pregnancy, Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton went to the Texas Supreme Court to block the order. He followed that up by threatening any doctor in Texas who performed the procedure. When the Texas Supreme Court agreed to temporarily block Cox from getting the abortion she desperately needed, she made the impossible decision to go out-of-state to obtain her abortion. 

This is just one of the many stories that have happened in Texas and across the country. Cox attempted to go the legal route. She did everything “right” under Texas law and still politicians and lawyers -- instead of her doctors -- were the ones making medical decisions for her. 

In the end, she made the same decision so many people like her have had to make under these draconian laws. Luckily she had the support and agency to go elsewhere. 

Brittany Watts

After going to the hospital and being told her pregnancy was non-viable, Brittany Watts returned home and faced a situation countless other pregnant people have faced: Watts miscarried into the toilet. 

In such a horrible end to her pregnancy journey, Watts did what was perfectly understandable, she flushed the toilet. It clogged. How devastating to have to face that action again…

In the most inhumane response possible to this horrific situation, prosecutors have charged Watts with a felony for corpse abuse even though the forensic pathologist testified that he found no injury to the fetus and that it died before going through the birth canal.

In a heartbreaking summation of the situation, Watts’ attorney Tracy Timko said it perfectly: “rather than focusing on healing physically and emotionally, she was arrested and charged with a felony and is fighting for her freedom and her reputation.” 

Dobbs’ effects being felt across the country

It is not enough for extremist Republicans to ensure that people who would choose to have an abortion cannot obtain one -- their plans are meant to take away any choice, any agency, any power from anyone who is pregnant. They are currently attempting to fool the public by arguing that their positions are moderate, but the reality of those living under these barbaric laws is anything but:

Republicans talk about “exceptions” and then tie pregnant Americans up in court cases meant to stall them into being forced to deliver heedless of their own health. 

Republicans talk about moderate compromise and then propose 15-week bans that would come before the crucial 20-week ultrasound.

Republicans talk about viability, murder, and personhood but refuse to listen to medical professionals.

When we talked about going back to the dark ages post-Roe, Republicans said we were being hysterical, but as these (and many other stories) will show you, removing choice creates barriers, and those barriers are used to control, subjugate, and disempower pregnant people. 

But, when we re-elect Joe Biden, take back the House, and win a true Senate majority, we will have the power to do everything we need to end the filibuster and make Roe v. Wade the law of the land.

To do that, we need your help. 

Write a letter to the editor (LTE) about Kate Cox, Brittany Watts, and the reality of Republicans’ abortion laws.

Americans are starting to forget just who is responsible for the heinous conditions imposed upon 21 states right now. As Republicans distance themselves from the direct results of their extremist positions while gearing up for 2024, we must make sure that no one forgets just what they have done. Make your voice heard.

In solidarity,
Indivisible Team