Dear Friend,

Today, the Supreme Court heard a high-profile abortion rights case, Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which challenges a Mississippi law banning nearly all abortions after 15 weeks. The case is the latest attempt to overrule Roe v. Wade. PPADMV stands in solidarity with all of the advocates who joined the Abortion is Essential Rally outside the Supreme Court this morning. We refuse to stand by as politicians try to control our reproductive freedom and ban abortion.    

While this case is focused on Mississippi’s abortion ban, its impact will be felt nationwide and will affect our region too. After the election of anti-reproductive health care Governor-Elect Glenn Youngkin and an anti-reproductive health majority in the Virginia House of Delegates, we are preparing to fight back against efforts to restrict abortion access in the state.  

Although the State of Maryland and the District of Columbia have laws on the books that protect a legal right to abortion, the technical right to abortion has never been enough when millions cannot actually access it. There are already barriers to abortion care for those in our region and, as we face this red alert moment for reproductive rights, PPADMV will continue our work locally to protect and expand access to care.    

In the meantime, you can support Mississippi abortion access by giving money to Yellowhammer Fund, Mississippi Reproductive Freedom Fund, and ARC-Southeast or to give to keepourclinics.org to support abortion providers, including Jackson Women’s Health Organization.    

We look forward to working with you to change the political and legislative landscape that threatens abortion access and to advocate for legislation to improve access to abortion in our region.

Thank you for standing with us.

Betsy Harned
Executive Director
Planned Parenthood Advocates for DC, Maryland & NoVa