Hi John,

When it comes to justice, most people look to the U.S. Supreme Court. But here’s the truth: 95% of all cases are decided in state courts, and those rulings shape nearly every part of our lives. From abortion access to protest rights, from child custody to environmental protections, state courts hold enormous power over our futures.

That is why re:power leaders Mercedes Fulbright and Sandra Solís are raising the alarm in a new Ms. Magazine op-ed: State Courts Hold the Power to Free Us or Erase Us.

READ THE NEW OP-ED HERE

Why State Courts Matter

They decide whether a protest leads to jail time or sparks change.
They determine if gender identity is protected or punished.
They rule on whether corporations, police, and politicians are held accountable or let off the hook.

Despite this sweeping influence, state courts remain one of the most overlooked battlegrounds in the fight for justice.

re:power in Action

Through our State Courts on the Power Map (SCPM) Learning Lab, re:power is equipping organizers nationwide to bring state courts onto their power maps. And, we’re glad to have the support of the Collaborative for Gender + Reproductive Equity in this fight.

In Utah, SCPM Fellow Nat Williams helped defeat five anti-democracy bills by building coalition strategies and sharing resources statewide.
In Wisconsin, Black Leaders Organizing Communities (BLOC) turned court watching into civic power, helping defeat a billionaire-backed state supreme court candidate and securing a progressive majority.

This is what it looks like to treat state courts as a headline, not a footnote.

What You Can Do

Read and share the op-ed.
Join a re:power training to learn how to fight for democracy in the courts and beyond. See trainings.
Invest in re:power’s work to train organizers and build power in the courts. Become a monthly donor.
Talk with your networks about why state courts matter for abortion rights, trans rights, voting rights, and more.

Together, we can make state courts serve the people, not just the powerful.

The re:power Team

This email was sent by re:power, a women of color-led team of organizers, strategists, and technologists dedicated to building transformative political power. Our work is tied to the belief that by partnering with individuals, organizations, and coalitions across the country, we can uncover leaders within communities to create radical change.

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