All of us at the ACLU were shocked and saddened by the shooting at Planned Parenthood in Colorado Springs on Friday, November 27. Our hearts go out to the family and friends of those who were lost in this terrible tragedy – Jennifer Markovsky, Ke'Arre Stewart and Garrett Swasey – as well as the nine other people who were injured in this attack and the employees and patients of Planned Parenthood whose lives will be forever changed by what they experienced.

Friday’s attack will have ripple effects beyond Colorado Springs. We know that acts like this are often meant to strike fear in the hearts of those who need abortions and the professionals who bravely provide them.

Fortunately, the people who provide abortion care throughout this country will not be deterred. They are determined, generous professionals who are steadfastly committed to ensuring that women get the care they need.

As our colleagues at Planned Parenthood of Northern New England have said, their doors will remain open to provide safe, supportive care to the women and men who need their services.

The incredible people at Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, as well as those at Maine Family Planning and Mabel Wadsworth Women’s Health Center (Maine’s other health centers providing reproductive health care to low-income Mainers) are our friends, our partners, and our clients. As they stand firm in their commitment to provide care to those who need it, we will stand with them.

We are proud to continue working alongside them so that every Maine woman can make the decisions that are best for her and her family.