DUBLIN TO RUMBLE TO SOUND OF WHEELIE CASES AT MARCH FOR CHOICE

— March at 2pm on Saturday starting at the Garden of Remembrance to be followed by events at FilmBase in Temple Bar —

Dublin city centre is set to rumble to the sound of hundreds of wheelie suitcases this Saturday (27th September) during the 3rd annual March for Choice, as campaigners bring their hand-luggage to the streets to symbolise the thousands of women forced to leave Ireland for abortions each year. Saturday’s March, which marks International Decriminalisation of Abortion Day and  coincides with events around the world, is organised by the Abortion Rights Campaign (ARC), which is demanding free, safe and legal abortion in Ireland. 

“We’re asking people to bring their wheelie cases to make the sound of travel loud and clear,” ARC spokesperson Justine Murphy said. “Ireland must no longer ignore the 10 women travelling to the UK every day. With the most recent mistreatment of Ms Y and the clear calls from opinion polls, the country is calling for real action to meet our healthcare needs in Ireland. But while the country has been urging action, demanding the much-delayed guidelines, calling for a referendum and reflecting on the UN Human Rights Committee findings, the best the Government has to offer us is the entirely unworkable, toothless Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act and the same old story of their hands being tied. But that long-awaited legislation provided limited access in the rarest of circumstances and an unnecessary fourteen-year prison sentence in all other circumstances. A suicidal woman was forced to comply and give birth against her wishes while in State care. It has always been clear to us that this Government drafted legislation that does not actually provide new care or legislate meaningfully for X, and with each mistake, delay tactic and dismissive statement the people in Ireland are growing tired of waiting. What we want is simple: real and realistic abortion access in Ireland. And we will work and march until we have it.”

After the March, the travel theme continues from 4pm at FilmBase in Temple Bar, where ARC will recast the building’s interior as an airport departure lounge, complete with a baggage drop for marchers to leave their wheelie cases; check-in desks and customs. An art installation in the form of a baggage carousel will allow  participants to create their own ‘Case for Abortion Rights’. A special passport-style photo booth will allow visitors have their photo taken with #NotAVessel placards – a reference to the remarks by the UN Human Rights Committee chairman Nigel Rodley in July that Ireland’s abortion laws treat women “as a vessel and nothing more”. 

Finally, the evening will finish with a “Speak Out” inviting people to share their experiences of abortion, travel, and activism in an event designed to break the silence in Ireland around abortion. Music, an open art exhibit, and film screenings will take place throughout the event. 

Transportation to Dublin on Saturday is being organised by local groups including Galway Pro-Choice, Alliance for Choice (Belfast), Cork Women’s Right to Choose and Limerick Pro-Choice. 

The Abortion Rights Campaign, joined by civil society organisations, unions, migrant groups, political parties, invites everyone to gather for a festive and proactive March through the capital city to call for the abortion rights, the bodily autonomy and the values we really want to live by in Ireland.

ENDS

For more information or comment contact: 
Justine Murphy: 087 134 5692
Cathleen Doherty: 087 339 8233
Claire Brophy (ARC Irish-language spokesperson): 087 760 1192

PHOTOS: FREE TO USE Hi-res images of ARC activists with wheelie cases at the gates of Leinster House can be accessed at:https://secretweb1337tbh.abortionrightscampaign.ie/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/ARC_PhotoCall_Dail4.jpg  credit: Katie Gillum

NOTES TO EDITORS:

+ The March For Choice will start at the Garden of Remembrance, Parnell Square, at 2pm on Saturday 27th September.  
+ A photo call with the wheelie suitcases will precede the March at 1:30 at the entrance to the Garden of Remembrance. 
+ The route for the March will be Garden of Remembrance to the Dáil via the Rosie Hackett Bridge, the HSE buidling, College Green, and Nassau Street. 
+ Speakers will include Clare Daly TD and representatives from the Abortion Rights Campaign, Union of Students Ireland, UNITE, Doctors for Choice, National Women’s Council, and migrant and Traveller communities.
+ Following the March there will be a free day of interactive workshops, a Speak Out, food and entertainment open to the public in Filmbase from 4:30pm until late. 

+ More details of Saturday’s events available at:
www.abortionrightscampaign.ie/