This is a long email. I hope you'll take a few minutes to read and digest it. We're at a turning point for abortion access in this country, and I need everyone who cares to pay close attention.

Last week, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization (JWHO), involving Mississippi's abortion ban. This case is a direct challenge to Roe v. Wade.

As an organizer, it's important that I level with the people I want to move to action. I was scared as hell by what we heard at the Supreme Court last week. The state of Mississippi has explicitly urged the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade — and it looks like a majority of the court may do just that.

Simply put, we need to start believing the Supreme Court may very well overturn or unravel Roe v. Wade next year. We can't predict what the Supreme Court will decide, but at this point, the risk is greater than it's ever been. It seems that the most likely outcome is that a majority of the nine justices allow Mississippi to ban abortion at 15 weeks, jeopardizing our constitutional right to abortion.

To be clear, the Supreme Court hasn't yet ruled on this case. Abortion is still legal. But I want to remind you that already for many people, abortion is out of reach.

As an organizer, I also don't like scaring people — I'm truly sorry if my candor upsets you. But we can't fight what we don't acknowledge. And the truth is, the risk of a complete reversal of Roe is greater than it's ever been.

If Roe is overturned or undermined, it will not only invalidate nearly 50 years of precedent, but it will be a historic reversal of our individual rights.

If that happens, abortion access could end for about half the country. Abortion could be immediately at risk in 12 states where "trigger bans" exist. An 14 additional states could move to ban or severely limit abortion in the weeks that follow. That means 36 million women of reproductive age — plus trans, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming people — could lose access to safe, legal abortion in their home state. And states where abortion is still legal will be forced to try to absorb the influx of patients.

We know who will continue to bear the burden of these restrictions: Black, Latino, and Indigenous communities, people with disabilities, people in rural areas, young people, immigrants, and those with lower incomes. This is the direct result of systemic racism, ongoing white supremacy, and coercive reproductive policies in our country.

That said, do I also have hope? Am I hanging on to the possibility that at least five justices will do the right thing, stick with precedent, and respect people's lives, bodily autonomy, and our constitutional right to abortion? Yes, you bet. I do have hope. I hold fast to it — while also knowing that it can't get in the way of preparing for the worst. And that's why I'm sending you this message today.

Hope is essential, but hope should not distract us from the work we need to do now to avoid the worst possible outcomes later.

Planned Parenthood will continue to do everything we can to get people the reproductive care they need, including abortion, no matter what.

What is in our control is how we show up in our own lives and communities to protect abortion access for as many people as we can, regardless of what the court does. What's in our control is what we demand of our lawmakers. What's in our control is how we respond when people ask for help.

Over the next several months, Planned Parenthood and our partners will keep doing everything we can to prepare for the Supreme Court's decision. We will work to protect abortion in the states that will need protections; support local abortion funds that help people get the care they need, no matter where they live; work to pass the Women's Health Protection Act in the Senate; and so much more.

While we do everything we can to defend and protect Roe, we also acknowledge that it is the floor — not the ceiling. The legal right to an abortion has never been enough when millions can't access it.

Heavy stuff, I know. But like I said, I have to level with you. It's only fair, because in the weeks and months to come you're going to hear a lot from me and others. We may sound hyperbolic talking about the end of Roe. Please, trust me now — Roe has never been more at risk.

So, how to close this heartbreaking email I hoped I'd never have to send? Well, I wouldn't be an organizer if I didn't close with a call to action. It's a little atypical as actions go, but here it is: Sit with this message, really take it all in. Take a deep breath and consider what a post-Roe America will look like. Think how your level of engagement will change because of this moment.

If you're already so active in the abortion access movement that you can't even fathom taking on more, focus on recruiting a few friends who can share in this work so you can take care of yourself.

If you feel ready to be a leader in the movement, let us know.

If you're not sure what you can do — but know you want to do more — commit to stay informed and take the actions you can, opening every single email you get from us and others about abortion acess. You know we'll keep in touch over the coming months with updates as we have them and actions you can take to help ensure patients can maintain access to abortion if Roe falls.

Whatever your level of engagement now, prepare to do more or get others involved. Your actions — yes, your actions — are necessary given what's at stake.

I'd love nothing more than to see the three justices appointed by Donald Trump surprise us, respect precedent and the firmly established rights of the American people.

But I'm not willing to bet on that. Are you?

In solidarity,