So back in March for International Women's Day I did my first ever speech. And I felt amazing after, what?
Strangely I agreed to speak again. This time it was at a Solidarity with the U.S. rally organised by ROSA NI.
As some of you may know ROE V WADE is a law that was created during a supreme court case in the U.S. in the 1970s which legalised abortion across all states. That is now at risk of being reversed leaving thousands without any access to abortion healthcare.
There is already a reduced amount of clinics in the U.S. as many closed under Trumps administration.
On Monday 2nd of May documents where leaked which showed the Supreme Courts intention to overturn ROE altogether.
This means that states that had abortion bans before ROE V WADE would return to the ban.
The states that would have abortion bans or restrictions if ROE was overturned would be:
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Lowa, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
This rally on Saturday 7th May was to stand in support with the people in the U.S. who are currently fearing for their reproductive freedom.
Here is a transcript of my speak:
"
Hello, I am Dearbhail and I am the Belfast Rep for Ulster Universities Pro Choice Society
We are here today not only to stand with our siblings in the U.S. but everyone across the world who is facing restrictions accessing abortion healthcare, right down to here on our own doorstep.
Women and pregnant people have always had abortions.
The only thing the law controls is how safe those abortions are.
We will not go back to botch clinics, costing hundreds to thousands of pounds, with dangerous equipment.
We will not go back to dangerous attempts at home abortions, using coat hangers and knifes.
We will not go back to people taking their lives because of a lack of abortions access.
We will not go back to healthcare staff risking prosecution, to save a pregnant person’s life.
Before Roe v Wade to access an abortion you only had two options. You were either lucky enough to have family doctor who, for a fee, would perform the procedure. Or, you had to go before a committee of usually all cis white male doctors and plea your case. These doctors often only offered abortions in exchange for sterilisation, disproportionately targeting under privileged women of colour.
WE WILL NOT GO BACK!
This is a war, a war on control of our bodies.
They are not just coming for our abortion healthcare,
they will come for our contraception,
they will come for the LBGTQIA + community,
they will come for our civil rights,
they will for our freedom.
THEY WILL TRY TO TAKE IT ALL
BUT WE STAND STRONG,
WE STAND TOGETHER
AND WE WILL BE UNDEFEATED
After Roe v Wade legalised abortions these self-titled ‘pro-lifers’ bombed abortion clinics and murdered abortion healthcare staff. In 2009, Dr. George Tiller was shot dead in his church. These ‘pro-lifers’ claim to be doing the work of god, yet shot down a man on holy, sacred grounds.
LET’S BE CLEAR THAT THESE PEOPLE DO NOT CARE ABOUT LIFE OR RELIGION.
The only thing this group stand for is forced pregnancy and forced birth.
The U.S. is supposed to be one of the most influential countries in the world, and this attack on abortion healthcare sends a clear message to everyone that women & pregnant people are not worthy of basic healthcare.
As a country who has only recently received the legalisation of abortion healthcare we understand first-hand how the restriction of these services has devastating repercussions. We should not have to travel for safe abortion healthcare, but that is what the whole of our western trust is currently faced with. Our recent election results have Sinn Fein potentially holding the first minister seat, we plea with them to act on their empty promises and push for the commission of abortion services across all our trusts.
We should not have to rely on charities to help women and pregnant people in a country that prides itself on its free healthcare available to all.
The message is clear, that these anti-choicers care about life unless you are born with a uterus and grow up to then need an abortion. Then your life is irrelevant.
The opinion of some shouldn’t take away the rights of many.
IF YOU DON’T LIKE ABORTIONS, SIMPLY DON’T HAVE ONE.
Go raibh maith agat.
Thank You "
- Dearbhail
