Thousands at Dublin pro-choice march over Irish abortion laws

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Maja Todorovic from Blanchardstown during a pro-choice demonstration on O’ Connell Street, Dublin.Photograph: Gareth Chaney/ Collins

irishtimes.com, 20. August 2014,  by Aine McMahon

Not the church, not the State, women must control their fate’, protesters chant.
Some 2,000 people turned out at the Spire on Dublin’s O’Connell street to protest at Ireland’s abortion laws.
The demonstration was organised by a number of pro-choice groups, including Choice Ireland and the Abortion Rights campaign in the midst of the latest abortion controversy.
Protestors chanted “not the church, not the State, women must control their fate” and “abortion rights now.”
Many protestors held signs which said “repeal the eighth” while other slogans included “I’m not a vessel” and “Raped, Pregnant, Suicidal, Forced C-Section – Ireland 2014”.

Gardaí at the march estimated that 1,500 to 2,000 people attended while organisers said up to 3,000 people had attended.

Protester Niamh Hanley said “I don’t believe in our political system and I don’t think anything will change unless we stand up and use our voice.” Jennifer Brennan said “I think this young woman has been treated appallingly. I think that we can do alot better for women in this country and for women who come from overseas.” Richard Hamilton said he came out to march because “the current law does not seem to be workable.”
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