Across the nation, more abortion restrictions have already been enacted in 2021 than in any year since the Roe v. Wade decision was handed down in 1973 while anti-reproductive health politicians race to pass increasingly more restrictive laws attacking access to health care.

• In Texas, a bill which bans abortion at six weeks is set to go into effect on September 1. This legislation is designed to intimidate physicians and other clinic staff out of providing safe, legal abortion by allowing private individuals — such as neighbors, former partners, family members, even complete strangers and anti-abortion activists — to sue anyone who provides abortion or assists in acquring this care for a bounty of at least $10,000.
• The Supreme Court announced that this fall it will hear Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization in which Mississippi has asked the Court to overturn Roe and nearly 50 years of precedent so it can implement a 15-week abortion ban. While the Mississippi law is currently blocked, this case is the first direct challenge to Roe the Court will hear since Justice Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation, with a ruling expected in 2022.
• In our region, candidates up and down the ballot in Virginia’s elections this November are pledging to roll back hard-won progress in health care access, led by Republican candidate for Governor Glenn Youngkin, who was caught on camera admitting that he will take steps to end abortion access in Virginia if elected.

It seems unbelievable that we are still fighting this fight more than 50 years after Roe, but here we are. It is infuriating and heartbreaking that we are still fighting this fight, but we will not give up because too many people depend on us. On September 1 PPADMV is joining PPFA, major progressive organizations like the ACLU, the Center for Reproductive Rights to mobilize abortion rights supporters in states across the country. With so much on the line in Virginia, PPADMV is working to elect pro-reproductive health champions in this November’s elections. Sign up here to join us for a canvass in Virginia!

If you can’t join us in Virginia, you can still take action. 

• Add your signature to this petition to the Supreme Court showing that you stand with the majority of people who support reproductive freedom. 
• Join the Planned Parenthood Action Mobile Network: To join and stay updated on fights for reproductive health and rights text "CONNECT" to 22422.
• Donate to PPADMV. Make a contribution now to support our work to protect reproductive rights and freedom throughout the District of Columbia, the state of Maryland and Northern Virginia. 

Together, we can stand up for access to safe and legal abortion and reject these attempts to strip us of our health and rights.