Dear John,

Like many of you, I am heartbroken and enraged by the devastating violence that took place in Minnesota this weekend. On Saturday, former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were murdered in an act of politically motivated violence. We have since learned that the attacker had compiled a list of 70 additional targets—including abortion providers in the state.

This kind of terror is not random. It is part of a long history of violence aimed at silencing people—especially those who, like Speaker Hortman, fight for reproductive freedom, racial and economic justice, and care for our communities. As an ob/gyn and abortion provider, I felt this deeply.

At Physicians for Reproductive Health, we know that the normalization of hate, violent rhetoric, and extremist ideologies has real consequences. It threatens the safety of providers, patients, and advocates alike. No one should be targeted for the work they do to ensure others can live with dignity and autonomy.

In the face of this horror, we remain resolute in our commitment:

We will continue to speak truth.

We will continue to provide care.

We will continue to fight for a world where no one fears violence for doing what is right.

In solidarity,