The Grayson County Board of Supervisors is considering an ordinance that was drafted for and advanced by Mark Lee Dickson, an anti-abortion activist from Texas. The proposed ordinance, which is expected to be voted on by the Board on Dec. 14, 2023, would make it a Class 1 misdemeanor to send or receive, through the mail or common carrier, any item or material that is designed, adapted, or intended to be used to perform an abortion, or to aid or abet anyone else in getting the healthcare they need.

This proposed ordinance is clearly invalid under Virginia law and the U.S. Constitution, will result in costly litigation, and will deter healthcare providers from serving the residents of Grayson County. The ACLU-VA strongly recommends that the Board decline to act on this proposal and reject the ordinance.

Our message to the Grayson County Board of Supervisors is simple: Abortion remains legal in Virginia. "The attempt to impose additional criminal penalties on the provision of important aspects of healthcare through a local ordinance would be invalid because it conflicts with this comprehensive statutory and regulatory scheme," states the letter.

We must protect access to reproductive healthcare, especially as Virginia is the only abortion access state left in the entire South with no new restrictions after Roe v. Wade was overturned. Our neighbors rely on us for abortion access, especially in the Appalachian region. Local ordinances like what was proposed in Grayson County serve no benefits to the residents of Grayson County and deserve no place in our Commonwealth. The Board should reject this proposal in its entirety.

You can read our full letter below.

Giving Tuesday is about seizing the opportunity to make a difference. Your support helps us build a stronger, more inclusive Virginia through key initiatives like our brand new Immigrants' Rights Project.

We believe the people closest to the issues have the best solutions. Today we are asking you to support the ACLU of Virginia, including our new immigrants' rights work, and to also consider a gift to other organizations that have long been doing this work.

Support from people like you is what makes our work possible.

Donate to the ACLU-VA

Organizations Supporting Immigrant Communities in Virginia

Dos Santos (Eastern Shore)

Dos Santos Food Pantry/Thrift Store is a 501c3 non-profit that assists low-income resident families and seasonal agricultural workers on the Eastern Shore to meet their basic need for food. Throughout the year, Dos Santos distributes food supplies to hard-working families (mostly Hispanic) each month, keeping an average of nearly 1500 family members from suffering food shortages.

Support their work here.

Hamkae Center (Northern Virginia)

Hamkae Center organizes Asian Americans to achieve social, economic, and racial justice in Virginia. Through community organizing, public policy advocacy, civic engagement, youth leadership development, service provision, and community education, Hamkae Center works to build a future in which low- and middle-income, immigrant, people of color, and marginalized communities can fully participate in U.S. society and work together as makers of lasting change.

Support their work here.

Sin Barreras (Charlottesville)

Sin Barreras' mission is to empower immigrants and their families in Central Virginia, focusing on the Hispanic population, by educating, advocating, and supporting their needs.

Support their work here.

Tenants and Workers United (Northern Virginia)

Tenants and Workers United (TWU) is a democratically-controlled grassroots organization committed to building community power to win social and economic justice across Northern Virginia. Centering leadership development and civic education, TWU organizes people of color from low-income backgrounds to secure sustainable changes in Alexandria City, Fairfax County, and Prince William County, with a focus on deeply affordable and dignified housing.

Support their work here.

Virginia Coalition for Immigrant Rights (statewide)

The Virginia Coalition for Immigrant Rights (VACIR) is a multi-racial and multi-ethnic coalition of organizations that exists to win dignity, power and quality of life for all immigrant and refugee communities.

Support their work here.

The Women's Initiative (Charlottesville)

The Women’s Initiative provides vital mental health services regardless of ability to pay. Their counseling, social support and education programs serve more than 2,500 women annually. They seek to increase access to care and create a safe, welcoming place for women of all backgrounds.

Support their work here.