I think a lot of people don't realize how much power we actually have in the fight for reproductive rights. Take it from me — this movement you and I are in is strong and growing stronger.

And I'm not one to downplay the threats. Millions of people live in states with abortion bans, and lawmakers keep coming for birth control, gender-affirming care, abortion, and more.

But I have seen the fear in the eyes of politicians as they flee from questions about the abortion bans they support. And I have seen how powerful this movement can be when we stick together.

After Arizona's state supreme court ruled that the state had to enforce a total abortion ban — which passed before Arizona was even a state — we got LOUD. People showed up to rally at the statehouse, and lawmakers who oppose abortion scrambled to try to avoid the blame. Arizonans were successful in pressuring lawmakers to repeal the Civil War-era total abortion ban.

At the same time, Planned Parenthood Arizona filed a lawsuit to block the ban so that Arizonans could still get abortion care while waiting for the legislative repeal to go into effect. And just this week, the state supreme court agreed to the Arizona Attorney General's request to delay enforcement of that ban.

Meanwhile, in Arizona and several other states across the country, voters may have the opportunity this November to weigh in directly on abortion rights. As we've seen with recent abortion-related ballot initiatives — in states including California, Vermont, Michigan and Ohio — the beliefs of the vast majority of people is undeniable: when voters have the chance to speak directly at the ballot box, they demand access to health care, including abortion.

Unfortunately, even when the people speak plainly in favor of abortion care, that's not the end of the story, as we are seeing in Ohio. Last fall, voters there overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment protecting the right to abortion. But that hasn't stopped the Ohio attorney general and other government officials from trying to enforce restrictions on care and overturn the will of the voters.

It takes some gall for a lawmaker to know they're on the wrong side of the voters on an issue as personal as control over our own bodies — and just try to defy them anyway. That's why it's so important for Planned Parenthood supporters like you to put direct pressure on elected officials at every level.

Thanks for staying in touch and helping spread the word. We're going to need to keep making noise to defend our rights and health, no matter how much some lawmakers try to drown us out. I'm glad you're with us.