John,

I am writing this email to you from outside the Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C., where I’ve been arrested and am currently waiting to be processed, along with hundreds of other freedom fighters who staged a sit-in today to tell SCOTUS we won’t go back after their despicable ruling overturning Roe v. Wade.

That’s me on the right, in the blue shirt.

(Photo credit: The Washington Post)

Our coordinated act of civil disobedience followed an inspirational rally and march – well, roll, in my case, since I broke my leg badly a few weeks ago and am currently stuck in a wheelchair.

But broken leg or not, I knew it was important to come here today and take a stand (figuratively speaking) for women’s rights, bodily autonomy, and equality … even if it got me arrested.

From my perspective, I’m lucky – I’ll probably get off with a fine and a citation today after this is all over. I probably won’t go to jail. But that’s not the case for the millions of Americans who now risk massive fines and decades of imprisonment if they violate abortion bans in their states.

My Republican opponent, Congressman Byron Donalds, cheered the reversal of Roe and has pledged to support additional draconian restrictions on abortion rights nationwide.

I promise that if I am elected to Congress in his place this November, I will do everything in my power to restore and protect every American’s right to choose, along with marriage equality and access to contraception.

It’s time to send more pro-choice leaders to Congress. I was just named the leading pro-choice political voice in Southwest Florida. Won’t you split a donation today between No Dem Left Behind and my campaign to help us protect and expand our Congressional majority and make Roethe law of the land?

Fighting for our rights,

--Dr. Cindy Banyai, Ph. D.