Abortion On Demand, Without Apology: 11th Annual March for Choice
The 11th Annual March for Choice takes place on Saturday, 24th September 2022. Mindful that we are still living through a global pandemic and public health concerns, we will hold a static rally for free, safe, legal, local and accessible abortion care outside Leinster House.
Date: 24th September 2022
Time: Assembling at 12.45 pm, rally commencing at 1 pm.
Place: Outside Leinster House, Kildare St., Dublin 2.
The theme this year is Abortion on Demand, Without Apology. Speakers to be announced.
While reproductive rights are under attack worldwide, our government has failed to provide free, safe, legal, local and accessible abortion services for all who need them.
We believe abortions should be available throughout pregnancy for anyone who wants or needs one, free from stigma and shame, without apology or restriction.
Join us on September 24th at 12.45 pm outside the Dáil to show the government that anything less than free, safe, legal, accessible and local abortions for everyone who needs them, when they need them, leaves far too many people behind.
Call for volunteers
Can you volunteer some time to support the March for Choice? We need people to help out on the 24th of September with activities such as stewarding, legal observing, acting as sighted guides and accessibility volunteers. Find out more about volunteering and sign up here to get involved – Volunteer for the March for Choice 2022.
Transport
If you plan to travel to the march from outside Dublin, please contact your local pro-choice group regarding transport. If your local group isn’t organising transport, funding will be available to help cover travel costs, details to be announced soon.
For your comfort, bring walking shoes and rain gear in case of showers (although we hope it will be a beautiful, sunny day like last year).
Public Health
We encourage all attendees to follow current public health advice to limit the spread of Covid-19. While this event is traditionally a march, this year, we will remain in one location for the duration of the demonstration to limit the risk.
In an effort to make the march as safe and inclusive as possible, especially for people at higher risk of infection due to being chronically ill or disabled, we recommend mask-wearing. We will have some FFP2 masks available for people on the day.
Accessibility
As always, we want to make the March for Choice accessible to everyone who wants to attend. We know that the barriers to abortion access are often replicated in other spheres of life – including protest. We believe no one should be prevented or discouraged from attending the march due to accessibility issues.
We will have accessibility stewards, sighted guides, and some seating for those needing it. As in previous years, we will have Irish Sign Language interpreters for the speeches.
We will live stream the event on our social media pages to facilitate those unable to attend in person.
If you are planning on attending the march and would like any accessibility assistance, please get in touch at: [email protected].
Protest Signs and Inclusivity
We encourage everyone to bring a protest sign to send a powerful, visual message. We love inclusive slogans that reflect the reality that abortion is not solely a women’s issue and that trans men and non-binary people also need abortions.
There is now a strong consensus in the abortion rights movement that coat hanger imagery no longer has a place at protests as it can demonise all self-managed abortions, including safe and effective abortion using pills. Please keep this in mind and leave the coat hangers at home.
Take action
Invite your friends and family to march with you by sharing the 11th Annual March for Choice Facebook event page on your social media. Be sure to use the hashtag #ARCMarch22, so we can see and reshare your posts.
