Indivisibles,

On the day Roe was overturned, in the early hours of the morning, those of us in red states woke up to go to work. We said hello to our neighbors, perhaps over a cup of coffee, perhaps while delivering them food, or passing them on the sidewalks. As activists, we knew that today could be the day. As community members, our minds were not only on the politics of our states, but on the lives of our people. We wake up every day to fight, and today was no different. When the news hit, it shattered us. But we had action plans in place -- we knew what to do. 

Everyone in the progressive movement, no matter where you are, is afraid right now. For Indivisibles living in red states, it’s a little different. Every day, we see clearly how high the stakes are and how uncertain our futures can be. We greet the people we’re fighting for every single morning. On the other side of the coin, we look bigotry in the face daily and smile, knowing we will have the final word. Despite this, we continue to soldier on in the face of adversity. As part of a national movement, we’re sometimes asked why we stay and fight, and how we intend to combat something that comes from as final an arbiter as the Supreme Court. 

Well, here’s why:

1. These states are our homes. We don’t just know the effects of slashing reproductive rights, we know the people who will see those effects personally. Some of us could leave, and some of us may not be able to. However, we all have one thing in common: we know that our homes, our friends, and our families are worth defending. And we will continue to, every day and in every way.  
2. Our communities have been preparing for this since 1973. Access to health care has never been given in many red states. Rural areas already faced extreme barriers to healthcare access before Roe was overturned, and that this will exacerbate already pressing concerns in rural communities. We’re part of a long lineage of fighters who have been combating this since the first trigger laws were written, and before today’s  conservative astro-turfers even got to the party. That doesn’t change the fact that people in rural areas will continue to need abortion care, and continue to deserve abortion care. Which is why we will courageously stay, and fight the good fight.
3. This fight has been constant. The cycle of eroding rights, voter suppression, corporate oligarchy, and resistance is not just a part of the repro fight. It’s a part of everything we do. Our struggle includes the right to clear air and water, to quality education for our young people, to safety in the face of a changing climate…suffice it to say, we’ve got a lot of experience fighting back under our belts.

And yes, we’ve seen the countless messages, tweets, and blog posts urging us to run, abandon ship, saying that our states are hopeless; that bigotry and hate will always be the defining characteristics of our states. With love in our hearts and solidarity in our bones, we want to push back, and we invite everyone to think about this: if someone doesn’t stop evil, if someone doesn’t demand better, then who will stop that evil from spreading? We’d like you to be a part of the movement that keeps everyone safe, whether they leave or not, and change the fundamental evils of American life that got us here: white supremacy, systemic oppression, disenfranchisement, and inequity. That evil exists in all of our states; it is incumbent upon all of us to stamp it out.

Instead of moving out of our communities, our goal has always been to transform them. Instead of asking what we can do to move to safe havens, we’d like each and every one of you to join us in making safe havens by funding our work, uplifting our voices, and helping us make travel and care safe and affordable. That means funding advocacy, paying attention to elections in states where abortion is banned, and fighting to ensure everyone has access to an abortion, no matter where they live.

Here’s how you can get involved (even if you aren’t in a red state):

1. Give movements, not moments. Local abortion funds will be a major source of relief for folks seeking an abortion right now. Instead of sending donations based on eye-catching subject lines, be certain you’re taking pains to ensure your money goes to local efforts in places that will hurt the most under this new ruling, and if you can, find an abortion fund near you and donate.
2. Find a protest near you, attend if you’re able, and recruit a friend if you’re not. You can find events using this map link.
3. Sign up for Indivisible's National Rural Program! Do you live in a red/rural area and want company? Our rural program provides space to connect with one another, engage in rural electoral and advocacy work and celebrate rural resistance and powerbuilding. By signing this form, you'll receive updates about our rural programming including information on our monthly national call. 

No one is coming to save us but each other. 26 states full of diverse, vibrant communities are fighting harder than ever; we cannot afford any more bystanders. Our ask for you? Be a co-conspirator. Give where it counts. Be there when it matters (now). With your help, we can transform not only the red state communities we live in, but all of America.

In fierce solidarity,

Red State Indivisibles