Protestors from a March for Choice on Nassau Street in Dublin in September, 2012, above, and a poster for a protest march on Wednesday, top
Choice Ireland will hold a demonstration on Wednesday, August 20, at 6pm at the front of the Spire on O’Connell Street in Dublin to protest the treatment of the alleged rape victim who was suicidal when she was refused an abortion.
Spokesperson Sinead Ahern says:
“Choice Ireland have called this demonstration alongside a number of pro-choice groups including AIMS Ireland, Rally for Choice, and the Abortion Rights Campaign in order to protest the treatment of a pregnant woman who was refused an abortion despite being suicidal. It is unclear whether an appeals process was made available to her, or the grounds on which an order for her hydration was made by the courts once she went on hunger strike. The treatment of this woman at the hands of the state has been deplorable.”
“This case has shown that the law is not fit for purpose. We are calling on people to take to the streets on Wednesday evening at 6pm to show the government that denying women basic human rights is unacceptable. Choice Ireland pointed to potential difficulties like this when the legislation was being drafted and this will not be the last case where a woman seeking an abortion to save her life makes the headlines while this legislation remains on the statute books.
“We are calling for a referendum to repeal the 8th amendment so that women can avail of the healthcare and medical treatments that they need.”