Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Eighth Amendment

Activists threaten strike action if there's no abortion referendum by 8 March

The Abortion Rights Campaign, Outhouse, the Anti-Racism Network are in support of the proposed strike action.

VARIOUS GROUPS REPRESENTING feminist and pro-choice activists are supporting a threat to strike unless a referendum on the Eighth Amendment is called by the government by the 8 March.

‘Strike 4 Repeal’ describe themselves as an “ad-hoc, non-affiliated group of activists, academics, artists and trade unionists”; the groups supporting the strike include the Abortion Rights Campaign, Outhouse, the Anti-Racism Network and Sex Workers Alliance Ireland.

Various college pro-choice groups and feminist societies are also in support.

In a statement, Strike 4 Repeal said the strike would not be an industrial strike in the traditional sense.

[It] could include taking an annual leave day off work, refraining from domestic work for the day, wearing black in solidarity and staging a walkout during your lunch break.
We ask business owners to consider closing their services for all or part of the day as a solidarity action.

Spokesperson Avril Corroon says “We share the concern of many pro-choice groups that the Citizen’s Assembly is no more than a hollow pretense of progress”.

Aoife Frances says that they “believe a national strike is not only possible, but an incredible opportunity to show the sheer power of our movement, and to put pressure on the government to call a referendum.

“In the past five years, support for repeal has grown to a level that the government can no longer ignore.”

In Ireland, the result of a referendum must be then passed into law by government.

Article amended to clarify that the groups supporting the action are not organisers of the proposed strike.

Read: Women’s March Dublin attracts thousands as part of global protest against Trump

Read: Citizens’ Assembly given extra day to discuss abortion issue

Your Voice
Readers Comments
86
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.