Dear John—

Last year, we sued the state of Missouri along with Americans United for Separation of Church and State to oppose its abortion ban and other restrictions on behalf of 14 clergy representing seven different faith traditions. Over the summer, the court held that the case could go forward, largely rejecting the state’s attempt to dismiss the lawsuit. Then, in November, we argued our opposition in court after the state tried to get the case thrown out a second time. In this new year, we will continue our fight for abortion access in Missouri and across the country and your support will always be essential to us.

In addition to your support, if you or someone you know lives near Kansas City or Oklahoma City , we would like to invite you to attend a series of events hosted by our partners at Americans United for Separation of Church and State, centered around the photo-journalism exhibit, Focus on Abortion .
* Kansas City @ 4501 Walnut Street, from January 7-9! Join us for receptions, speakers, trainings, faith leader gatherings, and more. [[link removed]]
* Oklahoma City @ 3901 NW 63rd Street, January 10 and January 14! RSVP to join us for an opening reception and training. [[link removed]]

Focus on Abortion is a powerful visual that centers the voices of people who have experienced abortion. It helps connect the issue to our support for church-state separation. If you’re not in the Kansas City area, please check out this video of the exhibit
[[link removed]] . Thank you for your support as we continue to fight for abortion access and care.
-Michelle

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Michelle Banker
Date: January 19, 2023 4:07 PM
Subject: BREAKING: We’re suing the state of Missouri over its abortion ban

Dear John,

We’re suing Missouri over its abortion ban.

Together with Americans United for Separation of Church and State, we just filed a lawsuit [[link removed]] against the state of Missouri to fight back against its harmful abortion ban and several other abortion restrictions. Lawmakers in Missouri have made it clear through the text of their laws and in legislative debates that the bans and restrictions they enacted impose religious beliefs about God and when life begins on all Missourians—even those who have different, deeply held beliefs. [[link removed]]

Religious extremists and anti-abortion lawmakers are abusing religion to hurt us—to deny our basic human rights. These abortion bans not only deny people equality and bodily autonomy, they also violate the separation of church and state that the Missouri Constitution ensures.
That’s why today, on behalf of 13 Missouri faith leaders from six different religious denominations and our partners at Americans United for Separation of Church and State, we filed a lawsuit in Missouri state court to strike down the abortion bans and several other restrictions. Anti-abortion extremists are attacking abortion access in every way they can, so we’re fighting back in every way WE CAN.

Many people, including the faith leaders we represent, support abortion because of their religious beliefs. Their faith calls them to support abortion access because of the critical importance it holds for the health, autonomy, economic security, and equality of women, all who can become pregnant, and their families. This lawsuit is a tool in that fight.

While we have a long fight ahead of us to restore abortion access to the residents of Missouri—and every state where reproductive health care is restricted—this lawsuit is a significant first step in fighting back against religious dogma dictating our health care.

As we fight for the separation of church and state in the courts, we want to thank you so much for always being with us. Because of your continued support of our work, we’ll keep fighting for abortion access—in Missouri and beyond.

In solidarity,
Michelle Banker
she/her/hers
Director of Reproductive Rights and Health Litigation
National Women's Law Center
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