Pro-choice activists reveal plans for ‘Strike 4 Repeal’ throughout Ireland next month

The Strike 4 Repeal had planned to go ahead with strike action if no referendum had been called by March 8.

Strike 4 Repeal, an ad-hoc, non-affiliated group of activists, academics, artists and trade unionists, have revealed plans for strike action at universities and workplaces throughout Ireland on March 8. Having previously declared their intention to go on strike if a referendum on the repeal of the eighth amendment hadn’t been called by March 8, the group have revealed their plan of action for the day in question. At 12pm on March 8, people all over Ireland will walk out of their universities and workplaces and gather to demand a referendum on the eighth amendment. In Dublin, pickets will start at approximately 10:30am at the Department of Justice, the Department of an Taoiseach and the Department of Health. Strikers will then gather at O'Connell Bridge for an action at 12:30. A number of businesses in Dublin city centre have committed to shutting down or supporting their staff to attend the strike in solidarity, including Aungier Danger, A4 Sounds, Bang Bang Café, The Brendan Behan pub, The Elbowroom, Nine Crows Street, Rothar, Sexsiopa.ie and the Townsend bar. Apart from Dublin, strike actions have been planned in every university in Ireland and in over 30 locations internationally. Commenting on the strike action, TCD Strike4Repeal said: “We need to strike to show that this is an issue we care about, and strike so that the next generation will hopefully no longer have to fight for choice.” On Monday, 13 February, South Dublin County Council carried an emergency motion formally supporting Strke4Repeal with other councils being urged to do the same. The following groups have signed on to support the strike so far with Strike 4 Repeal saying there will be more to follow: Abortion Rights Campaign Coalition to Repeal the Eighth Amendment AIMS Ireland Repeal the 8th Sligo Abortion Rights Campaign Meath Pro Choice Mayo Pro Choice Parents For Choice Rally for Choice Dublin Central Repeal the 8th Outhouse Women on Web Anti Racism Network Movement of Asylum Seekers Ireland (MASI) Trinity College Strike 4 Repeal NUIM Feminist Society NUIG Feminist Society NCAD Feminist Society Limerick Feminist Network Sex Workers Alliance Ireland Repeal Global Dziewuchy Dziewuchom Ireland People Before Profit Pro Choice Need Abortion Ireland Community Solidarity Kildare Repeal Project Dublin Digital Radio Repeal NYC Berlin-Ireland Pro-Choice Solidarity Nemesis TCD STH&K Young Labour The Clapton Ultras Limerick Pro-Choice International Campaign for Women's Right to Safe Abortion, Eight Stories (Dublin) Galway Pro-Choice ROSA Meath for Choice (ARC) Strike 4 Repeal Oxford Rabble Strike 4 Choice DCU Strike 4 Repeal Manchester Strike 4 Repeal Solidarity Strike 4 Repeal Durham Strike 4 Repeal Glasgow Strike 4 Repeal Cambridge UCD for Choice Kerry for Choice Trinity College Students’ Union South Dublin County Council