The march is set to highlight the fact that no legislation has been put in place since the referendum was repealed.
The seventh Annual March for Choice – organised by the Abortion Rights Campaign (ARC) – will take place in Dublin later this month, to highlight the fact that “nothing has changed” since the referendum on abortion was repealed back in May.
The march, taking place on Saturday 29 September, will see thousands take to the street to celebrate “recent victories and to ensure that no one is left behind as we move forward.”
It will be the first of its kind since Ireland voted by a 66.4% majority to repeal the Eighth Amendment.
According to the organisers, “This year’s march will be a chance to celebrate the successes of the pro-choice, pro-change movement in Ireland.”
“It will also be a time to acknowledge that, practically, nothing has changed since the 25 May,” the ARC says.
“Every day, 10 people still travel for abortion care, while at least three more take pills at home that are safe but remain illegal under Irish law.”
The theme of the march, ‘Free Safe Legal’, emphasises the need for adequate abortion care in Ireland post-repeal, available to all who need it.
The Abortion Rights Campaign will be joined by a number speakers for the match including:
- Andy Martin – Transgender Equality Network Ireland
- Siona Cahill – Union of Students Ireland
- Evie Nevin – Disabled People Together for Yes
- Arlette Lyons – Terminations for Medical Reasons
- Zanele Sibindi – Movement of Asylum Seekers Ireland
- Kellie O’Dowd – Alliance for Choice
It will also be MC’d by actor, writer and abortion activist Tara Flynn. The march begins at the Garden of Remembrance at 1.30pm, turns left at the quays passing the Custom House, crossing the Liffey and passing up Westland Row towards Merrion Square.
The march will finish at the south-east corner of Merrion Square.
Just last week, Health Minister Simon Harris announced that it was his intention to ensure that abortion services in Ireland will be performed free of charge, to ensure that “cost is not a barrier” to accessing the medical help.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, following the lift of the constitutional ban, told the Dáil that legislation to facilitate abortion would be introduced during the first week in October.
Harris says that he expects such legislation will be enacted by 2019.
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