One week ago this morning, the Texas Supreme Court rejected a challenge to Texas’ abortion ban brought by women who were denied medically necessary abortions and their doctors. And it was unanimous.

Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, we’ve seen so many extreme abortion bans and restrictions implemented across the country, but Texas has the distinction of having some of the most draconian laws.

The rollback of rights and access in Texas didn’t start with S.B. 8, but it certainly set in motion the chaos and confusion that our state Supreme Court has now endorsed.  That was in many ways the point.  This latest ruling ensures the confusion will continue, offering no reassurances to doctors who could face penalties—including jail time—for performing abortions for patients with life-threatening pregnancy complications. 

It’s another reminder that we cannot count on the courts—not the Texas Supreme Court or the U.S. Supreme Court—to defend our health, dignity, and freedom.  We must elect leaders at every level of government who care about the health of women in Texas and across the country and who will do everything they can to protect access to reproductive care. 

It’s also good to remember that in Texas we elect our judges.  And three of the Texas Supreme Court justices who signed this decision are on the ballot this November.

We’ll need a sustained, systemic, strategic organization to take back our state from anti-choice extremists who don’t represent the majority of Texans.  That’s why we must continue our work together, and I’m so grateful to know I can count on you to do this with us.

Together, we can do anything,