Pro-choice activists call for Ireland to go on strike if there’s no abortion referendum date by March 8

“We believe a national strike is not only possible, but an incredible opportunity to show the sheer power of our movement, and to put pressure on the government to call a referendum.”

A number of pro-choice groups have come together to call for Ireland to go on strike on March 8 of this year if the government hasn’t called a referendum on the repeal of the eighth amendment before that date. In the event that no referendum is called, Strike 4 Repeal, an ad-hoc, non-affiliated group of activists, academics, artists and trade unionists, have announced their intention to strike on Wednesday, March 8 and are calling on people all over Ireland to do likewise. They say that the strike will not be an industrial strike in the traditional sense but could include taking an annual leave day off work, refraining from domestic work for the day, wearing black in solidarity and staging a walkout during your lunch break. They have asked business owners to consider closing their services for all or part of the day as a solidarity action. Spokesperson for Strike 4 Repeal, Avril Corroon, said: “We share the concern of many pro-choice groups that the Citizen’s Assembly is no more than a hollow pretence of progress. It is the latest in years' worth of attempts to delay the undeniable movement in favour of repealing the 8th Amendment.” Another spokesperson for the group, Aoife Frances, added: “We call upon the Government to take direct responsibility for what is a violation of human rights. We believe a national strike is not only possible, but an incredible opportunity to show the sheer power of our movement, and to put pressure on the government to call a referendum. “In the past 5 years, support for repeal has grown to a level that the government can no longer ignore.” 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 Sligo Repeal the Eighth Mayo Pro Choice Parents For Choice Rally for Choice Strike 4 Repeal Belfast Outhouse Women on Web Anti-Racism Network Trinity College Strike 4 Repeal NUIM Feminist Society NUIG Feminist Society NCAD Feminist Society Sex Workers Alliance Ireland Repeal Global Dziewuchy Dziewuchom Ireland People Before Profit Pro Choice Need Abortion Ireland Limerick Feminist Network Community Solidarity For more information, you can check out Strike 4 Repeal on Facebook and Twitter (see also #strike4repeal and #wewontwait) and at [email protected].