When it comes to justice, most people look to the U.S. Supreme Court. But here’s the truth: 95% of all cases are decided in state courts, and those rulings shape nearly every part of our lives. From abortion access to protest rights, from child custody to environmental protections, state courts hold enormous power over our futures.
That is why re:power leaders Mercedes Fulbright and Sandra Solís are raising the alarm in a new Ms. Magazine op-ed: State Courts Hold the Power to Free Us or Erase Us.
“State courts are now our clearest line of defense against rising authoritarianism and fascism.”
Why State Courts Matter
- They decide whether a protest leads to jail time or sparks change.
- They determine if gender identity is protected or punished.
- They rule on whether corporations, police, and politicians are held accountable or let off the hook.
Despite this sweeping influence, state courts remain one of the most overlooked battlegrounds in the fight for justice.
re:power in Action
Through our State Courts on the Power Map (SCPM) Learning Lab, re:power is equipping organizers nationwide to bring state courts onto their power maps. And, we’re glad to have the support of the Collaborative for Gender + Reproductive Equity in this fight.
- In Utah, a SCPM Fellow helped defeat five anti-democracy bills by building coalition strategies and sharing resources statewide.
- In Wisconsin, Black Leaders Organizing Communities (BLOC) turned court watching into civic power, helping defeat a billionaire-backed state supreme court candidate and securing a progressive majority.
This is what it looks like to treat state courts as a headline, not a footnote.
What You Can Do
- Read and share the op-ed.
- Invest in re:power’s work to train organizers and build power in the courts.
- Talk with your networks about why state courts matter for abortion rights, trans rights, voting rights, and more.
Together, we can make state courts serve the people, not just the powerful.
