Students for Choice Launch at USI Congress
The opening of USI’s annual Congress event of 2018 was marked by the launch of Students for Choice. At Congress, Students’ Unions across the country have come together to debate and discuss motions affecting students across Ireland. The launch of Students For Choice comes in the month before the referendum to repeal the eighth amendment in the Republic of Ireland. The referendum, and repealing the eighth, is something USI and Students’ Unions across the country have fought at the forefront of, as highlighted by speakers on the panel today.
Taking to the stage to talk about the issue of repeal was Maxine Brady, former USI president and NUS USI convener, Orla O’Connor, director of the National Woman’s Council Ireland, current USI President Michael Kerrigan and current Vice President for Equality and Citizenship, Síona Cahill.
A series of student delegates led the launch, standing up in their chairs to recount harrowing accounts of real people’s experience of abortion. One such student was Alex Coughlan, NUIG delegate and LGBT+ and Gender Officer candidate.
“My name is Kate.” Coughlan recounted. “I had an abortion at 19. I had no money, no support, and no one to tell. I don’t think I’ve ever even said it out loud. I worked evenings after college, and double shifts to save. I cried constantly and couldn’t eat.”
Alex continued,“I’ve carried that as a burden for years. A sense of shame that I didn’t deserve, that no one does.”
After each account, a student stood on their chair and proclaimed they were voting yes in the upcoming referendum ‘for them’ — those who volunteered their stories of suffering as a result of the Eighth Amendment.
“I thought it was very poignant.” said NUIG delegate and Post Graduate Taught Officer candidate Cameron Keighron, who also participated in the student soapbox by reading out an account of someone’s experience with abortion. “I think the people that walked into that room not listening to the repeal argument have now opened their ears to women and people who can get pregnant, and the plight that they face with the legislation in this country.”
“The soapbox, where the students read out real stories […] it was moving. It was emotional.” Michelle Byrne, Vice President for the Southern Region says.
I had no money, no support, and no one to tell. I don’t think I’ve ever even said it out loud […] I’ve carried that as a burden for years. A sense of shame that I didn’t deserve, that no one does. — Kate’s account of having an abortion.
The first speaker from the panel was Orla O’Connor, Director of NCWI. She spoke about the effect of the Eighth Amendment upon women and people who can get pregnant.
“Sometimes a personal and private matter needs public support,” she says.
It is O’Connor’s view that the Eighth Amendment is too blunt an instrument to deliberate upon the highly personal choice that is a pregnant person’s decision about whether to get an abortion or not. “All of us are campaigning for a fairer, kinder Ireland.”
When asked for comment later, O’Connor said she was “delighted to be here for the launch.” She says that students will be critical to the referendum, that they have a unique “energy, passion, and drive.”
“USI and the students’ movement has such a strong history of supporting the Eighth.” O’Connor comments.
Maxine Brady was next to speak to an audience of rapt students. She evoked the background of the USI in her speech, mentioning its long history of lobbying for the repeal movement, and access not only to legal abortions but to information on abortion.
“Every time we went to court — and we went to court a lot — students blocked the streets. We were never arrested… despite our best efforts.” Maxine Brady still has a talent for leading students; her devilment, her defiance, her daring nature prompted loud hoots and applause from the crowd.
“This Campaign is all about health. The right for people to make the decision about their own physical and mental health.”
“It was very impressive,” NUIG delegate Georgia Feeney says. “It got everyone riled up and excited.”
Michael Kerrigan, President of the USI spoke next. He spoke of how he did not always believe that being pro-choice was necessary to the student experience, but that he now believes this to be true, asking “how can [he] live in a society where people who become pregnant are treated as second class citizens?”
He highlighted a student’s story about how lack of access to abortion put strains on them, mentally, emotionally, and financially. Indeed, Kerrigan’s speech is rooted in a people-based ethos.
Kerrigan’s speech was praised for its use of inclusive language. TransForRepeal, while critical of previous speakers for language that framed Repeal as an issue for women while not emphasizing trans men may still be able to be pregnant, “must commend” Michael Kerrigan for “his use of incredibly inclusive language in his speech.”
Last to speak was Síona Cahill, but she certainly was not least. The Vice President had the students echoing chants with a ferocity that rivaled an outdoors march. From Pink Training to Repealing, Síona Cahill has been the very picture of passion and drive that Orla O’Connor speaks of, that Maxine Brady inspires. Kerrigan and Cahill complement one another; Kerrigan is even-toned, his words gentle and moving. Cahill calls to students without a microphone even, powerful and fiery, something that obviously resonates with the students as they roar back to her — she has an innate ability to motivate.
From Pink Training to Repealing, Síona Cahill has been the very picture of passion and drive that Orla O’Connor speaks of, that Maxine Brady inspires.
“I loved her speech,” Ciara Murphy, NUIG delegate and Business, Public Policy and Law Convenor remarks.
“I found it so impactful. They were very motivating speakers, and the way the event was launched was very enthralling.” says Martha Brennan of the NUIG delegation and auditor of Dansoc.
“What do we want?” Cahill calls.
“Repeal the Eighth!” Answer the students.
“When do we want it?”
“Now!” The collective voice of all 200+ delegates hammering home a well-laid political point was something to be awed by, or quizzically appraising of — particularly if you were one of the other hotel guests with no idea as to what this motley crew of youth were up to.
“Bless ’em.” an elderly woman was heard to say. “Jesus, they’re very excited altogether.”
Muireann O’Sullivan, candidate for Disability Rights Officer, student of human rights, and activist said, “this launch shows why this issue is important, and shows the number of students it represents. Everyone here is excited to motivate as many people as they can.”
“It sets the tone for what the week is about.” said Georgia Feeney, a vocal activist for the Repeal movement. “Congress is about caring for society. It’s about using the voice we have.”
