Trinity’s Strike 4 Repeal campaign group held several stunts around campus this morning in advance of this evening’s assembly outside the Dail at 5pm.
Shortly before 9am, the group dropped a banner out the windows of Regent House. The banner was only held for several minutes.
At midday, the campaign team held similar stunts, with a banner drop within the Ussher library, as well as a banner in the footbridge to Goldsmith Hall.
In a statement to Trinity News, Sadhbh Sheeran from the Strike 4 Repeal campaign said: “Today’s actions were simple. They were both part of the wider Strike 4 Repeal campaign and TCD Strike 4 Repeal’s campaign within Trinity. The banner drop over front arch this morning was a reminder to those passing through the city that taking action, however large or small, today and in the months to come is of the greatest importance to the repeal movement. All of today’s actions were a reminder to Trinity students, who have supported strike in the past and those who are new to the movement, to join the Strike Assembly outside the Dail today.”
She stated that the protests were also a “reminder to TD’s and the Taoiseach that we expect a simple yes/no repeal referendum in May for fully accessible abortion rights.”
The Dáil will debate the eight amendment today and tomorrow in advance of this year’s referendum.
In a press release, Union of Students in Ireland (USI) Vice President for Welfare and Equality, Siona Cahill said: “There is no such thing as a ‘silent middle’ on this issue, the majority of people who consider themselves to be in what’s often referred to as the middle ground are in favour of removing this amendment from our constitution, as it was clearly not appropriate there in the first place to regulate Irish healthcare.”
In February 2014, 73% of Trinity students voted for Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union to adopt a pro-choice mandate and actively campaign for access to safe and legal abortions for women in Ireland. Since then, Trinity’s repeal campaign has seen various successes this year from the March for choice, Strike for Repeal and the Lobby group’s efforts. In 2016, over 300 Trinity students attended the March 4 Choice across Dublin city, with a referendum to be held on the issue later this year.
