Pro-Choice Counter Rally - Counter the Lies

dublin | gender and sexuality | press release Thursday June 30, 2011 14:08 by Conor, Suzanne, Shane - none rallyforchoice at gmail dot com

Counter Demo to the Rally for Life

The following is the press release about the counter-demo...

Pro-choice activists call for support for rally on Saturday

Speaking in advance of a counter-demo planned for Saturday 2nd July,
spokesperson for a group of Dublin-based pro-choice activists, Sinead Kennedy
called upon all pro-choice people to join the demonstration.

Commenting Sinead Kennedy said;

“We have come together as a broad group of pro-choice activists to demonstrate
against the so-called ‘Rally for Life’ at 2pm this Saturday at the Spire on O’Connell
St. We wish to counter the notion that the organisers of the ‘Rally for Life’ represent
the sum total of public opinion in Ireland. The right of a woman to control over her
own body is a right still denied to women in Ireland. It is a hangover of Catholic
guilt and successive governments who have refused to legislate for abortion, a
fundamental reproductive and health right, has left women in a powerless
position – stigmatised and ignored.

“On Saturday the 2nd of July a rally of ‘pro-life’ lobbyists will take to the streets. We
will show that they do not represent the majority view. Consistent opinion polls have
shown that the majority of people in Ireland favour a women’s right to choose in most
circumstances. In reality they are not ‘pro-life’, but anti-choice.

“We are now calling on the Government to legislate for the X case as a matter of
urgency and introduce free, safe and legal abortion on demand. They must also
immediately close the ‘rogue’ crisis pregnancy agencies currently operating in
Ireland and ensure people have access to affordable contraception and other related
sexual services. We are further calling on the Minister for Education to ensure there
is a comprehensive system of relationship and sexuality education in all schools
across Ireland. Finally, the Government must ensure that there are equal rights for
all families, be they ‘traditional’, single-parent, LGBT or any other type.

Sinead Kennedy will be available for comment on 0877712180

Notes to Editors: The Rally for Choice is being organised by a group of pro-choice
activists and supported by pro-choice groups across Dublin. They can be contacted
on [email protected] or on 0860694070