Loving Yes And No Both

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From top: (left to right) Orla O’Connor, Co-Director of Together for Yes campaign speaking in Galway; supporters of the Pro Life Campaign and Love Both project, also in Galway; Ciaran Tierney

Ahead of the abortion referendum on Friday, May 25, 2018, Ciaran Tierney attended the launches of both the pro-choice and pro-life campaigns in Galway.

Ciaran writes:

Two meetings in the same city, but they felt like different worlds.

As campaigning begins in earnest ahead of Ireland’s abortion referendum on May 25, the battle lines were drawn recently when both sides of the debate launched their respective campaigns at a series of regional events and rallies throughout the country.

Two very different events took place in Galway within 48 hours of each other which underlined the strong feelings in both camps and the intense battle expected to win the hearts and minds of undecided voters over the next seven weeks of canvassing.

Ireland has one of the most restrictive abortion laws in Europe and the legislation, known as the Eighth Amendment, which acknowledges the equal right to life of the mother and unborn child was passed by referendum after a bitter, divisive debate in 1983.

Most of those who will vote on the issue next month would not have been around or entitled to vote 35 years ago.

It was notable at the launch of the ‘Together For Yes’ campaign in Galway that many young women in their 20s and 30s were hugely engaged in a political issue for the first time.

Young women made up the majority of the 200-strong attendance at the Harbour Hotel in Galway city centre where a range of seekers called for the repeal of the Eighth Amendment in order to legalise abortion in Ireland for the first time.

For Orla O’Connor, Co-Director of Together for Yes, the key issue is to show people that abortion already is a reality in Ireland, but that women are being forced to travel to the UK or Europe for terminations or take illegal pills in secret at home.

Although canvassing had only just begun, she said that those who were in favour of change were receiving a very positive reception at the doorsteps.

“A really important part of our campaign is making sure that people know that women are already travelling to the UK every day or taking abortion pills at home, in secret, but they feel they cannot go to a doctor. It’s already a reality here,” she said.

“Our experience being out leafleting or canvassing is that a lot of people have changed their minds on this issue. People have seen that the Eighth Amendment did not work. It did not stop people from having abortions overseas and it also had devastating consequences when we think of, for example, the death of Savita Halappanavar here in Galway.”

Six years ago, Savita’s death at University Hospital Galway (UHG) made headlines all across the world and galvanised activists in the West of Ireland to seek a change in the law.

The young Indian dentist is remembered at a candlelight vigil in the city on her anniversary every year.

Savita (31) died from blood poisoning at UHG after doctors refused to terminate her 17-week long pregnancy. When the distressed young woman requested a termination in the hospital, she was told: “This is a Catholic country.”

She had presented to the hospital with back pain in October 2012, was found to be miscarrying, and died of septicaemia a week later. The resultant outpouring of anger revived Ireland’s abortion debate.

“It’s important for us to make sure that people come out to vote. Our feeling is that people want change. This is affecting thousands of women each year and people have changed their minds about this issue. They see that this is necessary. We are confident, but we are not complacent,” said Ms O’Connor.

“We can see that this is an issue which has really captured young women, but it’s an issue that affects everyone. It affects men, it affects couples. It’s about making sure there is proper health care here in Ireland and about making sure that people don’t have to go through the trauma of having to travel.”

She said that the Marriage Equality referendum in 2015, when Ireland became the first country in the world to introduce same-sex marriage via a popular vote, showed how much Irish society had changed over the past 35 years.

Ms O’Connor said that the issue had galvanised young Irish people abroad so much that many were planning to fly home just to vote on May 25.

Less than 48 hours after the Together for Yes launch, the Pro Life Campaign and Love Both project came together for a rally to mobilise support for a ‘no’ vote at the Leisureland conference hall across the city in Salthill.

Bus-loads of supporters from throughout the West of Ireland attended the event. It was notable that there were far more elderly people and families with young children in attendance at the ‘Stand Up for Life’ event.

There was also far more merchandise on show in the vast hall, including graphic images, posters, and sweatshirts, calling on people to vote no on May 25.

During an extremely well-choreographed event, everyone was asked to move to the front of the hall to take a large group photo to mark the launch of the ‘Vote No’ campaign in the West of Ireland.

There is a widespread perception out there that there is far more financial backing available to those who oppose repealing the Eighth Amendment, including funds from the United States, and this was very much in evidence at Leisureland.

One of the organisers, Katie Ascough, defined next month’s referendum as an “absolutely defining moment” in Irish history.

“I want you to think about the thousands of lives that will be protected when we win this referendum,” she said, to a huge round of applause. “There won’t be any second chances to save the Eighth Amendment. We must stand united.”

Another speaker, Bernadette Goulding, claimed the Irish Government had “awakened a sleeping giant” by attempting to repeal the country’s abortion ban.

“Women don’t talk about abortions, it doesn’t lend itself to conversation,” said Ms Goulding, who runs Rachel’s Vineyard retreats for women who have experienced painful post-abortion emotions.

“Those who are pro-abortion don’t acknowledge the grief women experience after having an abortion,” she claimed. “No country is perfect but we all need to be proud of Ireland’s abortion laws.

“Those who are ‘pro-choice’ believe that ‘pro-life’ people only care about the baby, but ‘pro-life’ people care about the mother and the baby. Many people are alive today because of the Eighth Amendment.”

She claimed that the birth of a child “heals the effect of rape” and called on people to stop rape from happening rather than kill an unborn child.

One of the organisers of the launch, Eilis Mulroy of Galway for Life, said anti-abortion campaigners were incredibly encouraged by the huge number of people who were enthusiastic about protecting Ireland’s ban on abortion.

“We want to encourage people to get out and canvass, to tell their families, their friends, their neighbours about the preciousness of the Eighth Amendment, to explain to them how many lives have been saved by the Eighth Amendment. There are people in this hall tonight who are alive because of the Eighth Amendment,” she said.

“Certainly, Ireland has changed since the 1980s, and there’s a lot of positive change, but not on this topic. I’m very encouraged that recent opinion polls have shown there is no majority in favour of repealing the Eighth Amendment. If you look at the numbers here tonight, you couldn’t but be confident about a ‘no’ vote on ballot day.”

Ms Mulroy said it was too easy to “stereotype” people, but it was clear from the huge gathering in the hall that a huge cross-section of Irish society was concerned by the prospect of having legalised abortion.

“I know many people who have been through an abortion and, for many of them, it wasn’t their own choice. It was the people around them. The challenge for us is to be the type of society that supports women,” she said.

“Our view is that people should get online and inform themselves. People should inform themselves of what’s involved in this legislation, unrestricted abortion, which is a horrendous proposal of ‘social’ abortion.”

When it was put to her that many people would have a difficulty with the term ‘social’ abortion, given the trauma involved, she said that every abortion was a tragedy and claimed that one in five pregnancies in Britain ends in a termination.

“Once you introduce a liberal or unrestricted regime, it becomes socially acceptable in the same way as the smoking ban. You can probably remember being able to smoke on an airplane, but now it’s socially not acceptable, because laws change behaviour. If you say that some people have less of a right to live than others, of course it’s going to make an impact,” she said.

“This proposal is for unrestricted abortion up to eight weeks. I think it’s really important that people are straight and that the facts are out there. We would encourage everyone to be respectful of each other. It’s important that the science and the truth about ‘abortion culture’ and how it harms babies needs to be articulated, and given fair treatment in the media debates.”

An intense period of campaigning is now underway to win over undecided voters ahead of the referendum on May 25.

Ultimately, the real-life testimonies of women across Ireland could be pivotal in terms of deciding the outcome of the vote.

Arlette Lyons of a group called Terminations For Medical Reasons (TFMR) spoke of her personal trauma when she was forced to travel to England for an abortion after being diagnosed with a case of fatal foetal abnormality six years ago.

“We were expecting our third baby when we found out she had a fatal condition at 12 weeks,” said Ms Lyons. “I expected something to be done there and then, but I was told that there was nothing that could be done for me and my family here in Ireland.

“To be given the news that my baby was going to die and then to be told that the only options were to go to the UK or to go full term, I actually thought I was the only one this had ever happened to. The staff at Liverpool Women’s Hospital were so understanding, they had seen Irish couples in this situation so many times.

“I travelled back home by boat, because I could not face the ‘plane. I did not want to fly after having my termination. I felt travelling by boat was less public. When I got back to Ireland, an anger just came over me. That’s why I just went public. It was unjust, what happened to me. Since then, I came together with other women to form TFMR and at least 400 families have been in contact over the past six years.

“The only way women and couples with fatal foetal abnormalities can receive the help they need is to repeal the Eighth Amendment. My story could be anybody’s story, even though I hope it does not happen to anyone else. We need to stop punishing tragedy.”

Ciaran Tierney is a journalist, blogger, and digital storyteller, based in Galway, Ireland.

Rallying the troops for a divisive campaign (Ciaran Tierney)

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37 thoughts on “Loving Yes And No Both

  1. jusayinlike

    The RCC pays for the no campaign, and makes individual countries apologise for genocide that the Church commits in that country. The Church won’t pay the redress and never apologises.

    Never apologised for genocide committed in Ireland yet claims to care for people.

    What a load of tosh and anyone who supports the no campaign while it’s being funded by the RCC is a hypocrite and a charlatan.

    1. david

      And like all good genocide it takes government’s to collude
      You actually demean the word genocide and dishonour the victims of genocides like Burma Rwanda the holocaust sierra Leone Armenia for a few

  2. The Ghost of Starina

    **“Those who are pro-abortion don’t acknowledge the grief women experience after having an abortion,”
    We’re not pro-abortion, ffs. We’re pro-choice, not trying to wipe out the human race. and the second part of that sentence is a complete lie?! Look at places like the WellWoman Center, which takes a pro-choice stance and provides free post-termination counselling!

    **She claimed that the birth of a child “heals the effect of rape”
    This actually makes me feel nauseous. She’s literally just making stuff up. Yay not only was I sexually assaulted but now I have to look at his face reflected in that of this unwanted child I’m now saddled with through no fault of my own!

    **“Our view is that people should get online and inform themselves”
    Yes, mine, too. It’s through facts and not makey-uppy notions that this referendum will be won.

    **she said that every abortion was a tragedy and claimed that one in five pregnancies in Britain ends in a termination.
    This is a lie. It’s one in five in England, not Britain. And funny enough, those stats include the 1000s of Irish women who have to travel to England for their abortion.

    1. missred

      It’s astounding the arrogance displayed that makes someone think they can speak for all rape victims. I also feel sick reading that bit.

    2. Cian

      Sorry Starina,

      I do agree with your first three points – but #4 is wrong.

      The 1 in 5 number is still correct for England & Wales, for Scotland, and for Britan. Looking at published 2016 numbers:
      There were 696,271 births in England and Wales with 185,596 abortions (to residents) [21%]
      There were 54,488 births in Scotland with 12,056 abortions (to residents) [18%]
      There were 5,899 births in NI with 724 abortions (in the UK) [11%]
      …giving a grand total across GB and NI of 756,658 births with 198,376 abortions [20.8%]

      These numbers exclude the ~4000 Irish (and other foreign) women.
      About 1 in 21 Irish pregnancies ended with an abortion in the UK in 2016.

  3. dav

    Their hatred of women knows no bounds. I think it’s due to the sin of eve or something and their need to punish women for it for ever more.

    1. painkiller

      Sometimes it’s best to climb down from a damaging propagated narrative…

      A great number have been moved by what happened to the Savita Halappanavar and how our system failed her…and would like to see sufficient amendment to ensure that a woman’s life is worth more than the unborn in the event of complications but at the same time want to retain some right for the unborn. It’s ok to be uncomfortable with Irish law facilitating a termination of unwanted pregnancies and this referendum change is dramatic from their perspective.

      Until now, there has been no legal prosecution (under Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013. Sections 7 and 8 – that I am aware) of for anyone who has gone overseas to end their pregnancy so in some respect, the governing authorities of the state have looked the other way and let people carry out their will outside the legal jurisdiction, if they so choose.

  4. Daisy Chainsaw

    I wonder how “healed” the 14 year old rape victim in Paraguay feels… oh wait…

    Where did this offensive fallacy about birth healing rape trauma come from? I can understand an inexperienced young fella like Niall McCall (Twitter Pro Life Leg End) being naive enough to believe it, but a middle aged woman with life experience propagating it is disgusting. Why do antichoice have to be so dishonest to make a point? And yes, they are antichoice, not prolife, because if they were, they’d be a lot more woman centred, focusing on sex education and contraception promotion, but they’re against that too. It’s the 21st century. Teaching girls to keep their legs closed until they have a husband isn’t a helpful message anymore.

    1. ReproBertie (SCU)

      “Teaching girls to keep their legs closed until they have a husband isn’t a helpful message anymore.”
      Was it ever?

    2. painkiller

      Calling them anti-choice is like someone calling you pro-abortion.

      …they simply want the rights of the unborn protected under Irish law. It’s not some grand conspiracy against minorities.

      1. realPolithicks

        Anti-choice is exactly what they are, they are against women having the right to choose what to do with their own bodies. Also what do you mean by “minorities”?

        1. painkiller

          I suppose it depends on your perspective – how you place value on the unborn in balance.

          The tone of the dialogue (as far as I can see) has a SJW undertone – women’s rights pushing against an oppressive patriarchy, and it’s evident on these threads. People assume that so-called “anti-choice” is coming from a bunch of insensitive men who are terrified at the thought of women having a say in their reproductive rights. So, I’m referring to a patriarchy aspect I’ve been seeing.

          The fact is that a great number of Irish people have chosen to terminate their pregnancies and have been able to do so without legal consequence despite Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013, so there is choice…just not choices that are facilitated under the Irish constitution. It could be a lot worse.

          I assume everyone is on the same page that in the event of complication, our constitution should be humane and prioritise the well-being of the living…and agreement should start there.

  5. Ron Dolan

    I have no problem with the average person voting no, their choice and their conscience, but I find most the leaders of the No campaigns seem to be bitter, dishonest and rather socially backward.

    Whether its David ‘rich catholics club’ Quinn of the Iona institute, that clown Ascough or the other one Cora Sherlock, not one of them seems to draw any joy out of life and seem determined to drag the rest of us into their medieval misery.

    On the wrong side of history on every single issue every single time.

    Remember, even if its a No, it will not be 35 years before it comes up again. It will come in, sooner rather than later.

    1. The Ghost of Starina

      We don’t have 35 years to wait again, or 25, or 15, or 5. And if the No vote wins, they’ll wave that around like a trophy – “the people have spoken, ye harlots, and we don’t need to talk about it ever again” People like Ascough will en up in government if that happens. ugh.

  6. Not On Your Nelly

    Killarney has no posters in and out of town. On all approaches. Large billboard trucks. And I haven’t seen a single yes poster. Kerry might not haven a large population but the no side are winning the poster war here. Just an observation.

        1. mildred st. meadowlark

          Even briefly considered moving to Kerry to escape the NO poster invasion in my own town.

          Where are those YES posters that we were promised?

  7. Hansel

    I think the yes side are making a mistake with the “trust women”, “our body, our choice” etc angle.
    It’s very easy then to say, as a male “I’ll opt out of voting: it’s not my body, it’s not my choice”.

    Am I the only one who has realised this?

    FWIW the most persuasive “yes” argument I’ve seen was “3185 women went to the UK for abortions last year”.

    1. Cian

      I can see the posters:

      1 in 21 Irish pregnancies
      were aborted in the
      UK last year.
      Repeal the 13th.

      1. Hansel

        I think that’s a much more persuasive angle, at least for me personally: the “this is happening right now” angle.
        If the “repeal” campaigners want a larger turnout – which I believe is the case – then “it’s women’s choice” may not be a productive way to achieve it.

    2. ReproBertie (SCU)

      What sort of man, seeing the impact the 8th has on women they know, would decide that this only really impacts on women so I’ll stay out of it and let them decide? If you have any compassion for women then vote Yes.

      Don’t like abortion? Don’t have one and teach your children how to avoid the need for one.

      1. Hansel

        ReproBertie, “it’s women’s choice”, not yours: pipe down darling.

        If you have any religion/conscience/fill in the no argument as appropriate, vote no. Glib responses formed out of passion/emotion can undermine your own argument.

        1. ReproBertie (SCU)

          Ridiculous. I’ve not heard a single pro-choice person say anything to men other than vote Yes. This issue is too important to dismiss any available support and the Repealers know it. Only the Retain side would benefit from men not voting.

          1. Hansel

            Yes ReproBertie, that was literally my entire point: I believe that the “no” side benefits from lower turnout.
            Putting up posters which simply say “It’s women’s choice” during a referendum may not help to increase the number of undecided male voters at the polling station. Is it really so unacceptable to point that out? Because that was my entire point.

          2. ReproBertie (SCU)

            I have not seen any posters saying “It’s women’s choice.” Who has put them up? Presumably there’s a group named on them.

            BTW, I had responded to your post when it just said “ReproBertie, “it’s women’s choice”, not yours: pipe down darling.”

          3. Hansel

            Yeah they’re around the south of the country, a long rectangular poster simply saying “it’s women’s choice”. I didn’t see the group behind them: I’ll have a look. There’s also lots of “hands off our ovaries” and “trust women” which are less negative, but still relatively ineffective at reaching undecideds. All IMO of course.

            Apologies on the late edit, I realised that my “pipe down darling” comment likely didn’t get the point across on it’s own so I tried to expand on it. I’m only trying to point out that splitting your target voters on gender lines can only reach 50% of people.

          4. ReproBertie (SCU)

            Ah no, you’re grand. Just for a moment there I took umbrage at being told to pipe down and that may have come across in my response but I’m totally over myself now.

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