NARAL Pro-Choice Issues Statement on Ireland’s Referendum to Repeal 8th Amendment

WASHINGTON, May 25 -- NARAL Pro-Choice America issued the following statement by President Ilyse Hogue:

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Today, Ireland held a referendum to repeal the 8th Amendment of its constitution, which effectively bans abortion. NARAL Pro-Choice America President Ilyse Hogue issued the following statement in response to reports of voters overwhelmingly supporting repeal of the harmful amendment:

"Despite money flooding in from U.S. anti-choice organizations, the Irish people overwhelmingly voted today to repeal an antiquated abortion ban that undercut women's health and fundamental freedoms. Today, we look across the ocean in awe at the organizing and passion that went into achieving this incredible victory, and we look to the women and men who poured their hearts into this effort as role models as we face our own crisis in abortion rights and women's rights here at home.

"To the men and women of Ireland who stood up today to say enough is enough, reaffirming every woman's right to make decisions about her own body and control her own destiny: we are inspired by the compassion you've shown and the sacrifices you've made to create a country that shares your values."

New research from NARAL (https://www.prochoiceamerica.org/report/how-american-anti-choice-activists-are-trying-to-influence-irelands-abortion-referendum-on-may-25/) highlights how U.S.-based anti-choice organizations have been meddling with Ireland's 8th Amendment for decades and are actively working to preserve it from overseas. It was recently reported that tech giants Google and Facebook (https://mobile.nytimes.com/2018/05/25/technology/ireland-abortion-vote-facebook-google.html?emc=edit_nn_20180525&nl=morning-briefing&nlid=8395245520180525&te=1&login=email&auth=login-email) ceased to accept advertisements from groups based outside of Ireland out of concern that this overseas advertising would skew the results of the May 25 referendum. But that did not stop U.S.-based groups like Americans United for Life from engaging from afar to influence the vote. The same anti-choice organizations working to influence Ireland's 8th Amendment also have connections to Donald Trump's campaign, the NRA, the RNC, and more. You can read the full report here (https://www.prochoiceamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/American-Antis_Irish-SaveThe8th.pdf).

NARAL Pro-Choice America and its network of state affiliates are dedicated to protecting and expanding reproductive freedom for all Americans. NARAL works to guarantee that every woman has the right to make personal decisions regarding the full range of reproductive choices, including preventing unintended pregnancy, bearing healthy children, and choosing legal abortion. In recognition of its work defending our constitutional right to choose, Fortune Magazine described NARAL as "one of the top 10 advocacy groups in America."