Last weekend’s March For Choice was a momentous occasion in the struggle to repeal the 8th amendment to the Constitution.
With the campaign gaining ever more traction, some opponents are trying to diminish the Repeal movement by arguing that it’s only “the usual suspects” who support it – namely, “liberal students from Dublin universities, Trotskyites, Shinners and Anti-Austerity Alliance”.
In response, lots of Irish women and men started using Twitter last night to introduce themselves, give a bit of background information, and state their reason for supporting the Repeal movement under the hashtag #KnowYourRepealers.
Brilliant to see #knowyourrepealers is the number 1 trend in Ireland. Showcases the huge diversity and momentum for change #repealthe8th
— Womenscouncilireland (@NWCI) September 27, 2016
It’s really heartening to see just how varied the support is from around the country – and beyond. Here are just some of those who are taking part:
47, from a Mayo family of fast walkers, has a sweet tooth and a Jack Russell, trusts women to make their own decisions #KnowYourRepealers
— Dr Panti Bliss-Cabrera (@PantiBliss) September 27, 2016
https://twitter.com/Daracho/status/780881753338699777
https://twitter.com/UnaMullally/status/780894183426969601
Son of a great mother.
Husband of a great wife.
Father of a great daughter.I trust them to know what's best.
— Alan Ho🤷🏽♂️ard (@AhJaysusHowaya) September 27, 2016
Feminist,historian,chocoholic-want #repealthe8th to be a subject I teach in class not something I am still fighting for! #knowyourrepealers
— Dr Mary McAuliffe (@MaryMcAuliffe4) September 28, 2016
https://twitter.com/joancooke5/status/780895239120818176
https://twitter.com/MarianKeyes/status/780874245987532800
https://twitter.com/Sarah___Waldron/status/780890517676646400
#knowyourrepealers Born in 1978. Adopted in 1981. Met biological mother who couldn't keep me. Still 100% pro #repealthe8th. I trust women.
— Darragh Doyle (@darraghdoyle) September 27, 2016
Half of my constituency are women. I trust them to make their own choices. I and most in #dubw didn't have vote in 1983 #knowyourrepealers
— Ruth Coppinger (@RuthCoppingerSP) September 27, 2016
#knowyourrepealers 45yo, married, 4 living children. lost son to FFA & 5 to miscarriage. volunteer campaigner with @TFMRIRE #repealthe8th
— Gerry Edwards (@gerryheed) September 27, 2016
#KnowYourRepealers 45, male, grey, once got stung *there* by a wasp, no wains but a ridiculous number of nieces. For them, choice. Simple.
— Fiachra (@fiachrax) September 27, 2016
https://twitter.com/robertjhogan/status/780820560435609601
https://twitter.com/teragramFLIP/status/780812638016143360
Just amazing. Or as Tara Flynn puts it:
https://twitter.com/TaraFlynn/status/780882749351718913
Follow more of the stories here.
