06/17/2025
Dear Community Members,
WE Health Clinic is devastated by the recent politically motivated assassination that claimed the lives of Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman. We extend our deepest condolences to their family, friends, and all those who served alongside them. Our hearts are also with Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, as they continue to recover from the attack that has shaken our state.
Representative Hortman was more than a public servant—she was a powerful and principled leader who championed reproductive freedom throughout her career. She used her platform to advance abortion access, defend the rights of pregnant people, and prioritize reproductive healthcare in state policy. Her courage and clarity helped make Minnesota a place where clinics like ours could continue to provide essential care.
We are heartbroken to know that several fellow Minnesota abortion providers were targeted in this planned attack. Although WE Health Clinic was not named on the suspect’s list, this violence strikes at the heart of all of us who provide, support, or seek reproductive healthcare. This was not just an assault on individuals—it was an attack on the entire reproductive justice movement and the right to provide and access care without fear.
In response to this tragedy, we immediately coordinated with law enforcement, fellow abortion providers, Building for Women partners, and our dedicated staff to ensure the safety and security of our clinic and the community we serve. Thanks to this collective effort, we continue to operate safely and remain open to provide the care our patients rely on.
As a proud abortion provider and long-standing advocate for reproductive justice in Minnesota, WE Health Clinic remains undeterred. We reaffirm our commitment to providing care that is grounded in compassion, equity, and dignity for all who seek it. In upholding Representative Hortman's legacy, we continue the work she championed—serving our patients, protecting our rights, and standing together in the face of violence and hate.
To support Senator Hoffman and Yvette in their recovery, please consider contributing to their GoFundMe.
We encourage those looking for ways to support the Hortman family to contribute to the GoFundMe organized on behalf of Representative Hortman’s children. In response to their family’s loss, Representative Hortman’s children offered this call to action - and a way to honor their parents’ memory:
“Stand up for what you believe in, especially if that thing is justice and peace.”
With resolve and in remembrance,
Paulina Briggs
Executive Director
WE Health Clinic
