The #HomeToVote campaign is taking over social media and further highlighting the global importance of #RepealThe8th and #VoteYes
In Ireland, the polls have opened today to let the nation decide whether to repeal the Eighth Amendment.
This 1983 addition to the Irish constitution granted equal rights to the mother and the unborn, and all but banned abortion. This law means that 11 women a day are forced to travel overseas to secure safe and legal access to treatment, which is a total of over 154,000 since 1980.
That is why the nation is coming out to vote today.
However, for an Irish citizen to be able to vote in this historic referendum, you must have lived in Ireland in the last 18 months, and votes must be cast in the country.
That is why Irish citizens are coming #HomeToVote.
The campaign was inspired by the 2015 referendum on marriage equality, when Irish people living in the UK caught the ferry from Holyhead back to Dublin, in order to vote in support of marriage equality.
After the 2015 success, the campaign has turned its attention to the abortion referendum, encouraging Irish citizens living abroad to get #HomeToVote, and ensure that the 8th Amendment, which the Abortion Rights Campaign says ‘infringes on the human rights of women in Ireland and goes against international human rights norms’, is repealed once and for all.
The hashtag has taken social media by storm, and the stories are remarkable, not to mention incredibly moving.
Here are some of the highlights:
Irish women who have come #hometovote arriving at Dublin airport. pic.twitter.com/jTMm1xg9a1
— Laura Silver (@laurafleur) May 24, 2018
Flights all over the world were filled with #RepealThe8th supporters
Brussels airport boarding to Dublin. The passengers on one flight #hometovote #Repealthe8th pic.twitter.com/pGyoanvFT3
— Paula Kehoe (@paulamkehoe) May 24, 2018
I made friends at the boarding gate. Not one of us knew each other. #hometovote #london #ireland @LdnIrishARC pic.twitter.com/w7A91tUrZu
— Danielle Stephens (@DaniS1006) May 24, 2018
Some of the #HomeToVote tweets showed the kindness of strangers
a friend of mine wasn’t allowed fly from Manchester as she forgot her passport. random stranger in the airport transferred her 400 pounds to book flights tomorrow morning. She will be #hometovote. I will be crying
— ruth cunningham (@rthcnnghm) May 24, 2018
Some reminded us of Savita Halappanavar, whose tragic death was the catalyst for the referendum to be called
As Ireland goes #hometovote to #RepealThe8th today, please remember Savita Halappanavar who died of sepsis after being denied an abortion for a pregnancy even after doctors said miscarriage was inevitable. Her death was a catalyst for this referendum. She was 31. pic.twitter.com/EcZm95xrEl
— Charlotte Morabito (@MorabitoCM) May 25, 2018
Irish citizens who weren’t eligible to vote in the referendum were also offering their support
I can’t vote (lived abroad too long).
I haven’t canvassed (I live in London).I haven’t been shouted at, spat at, had doors slammed in my face. I *can* offer lifts to Heathrow/ London City airports on Friday AM. #HomeToVote #Repealthe8th *for Savita & all Irish women* pic.twitter.com/4nr3OvHa9J— Helen O'Rahilly (@HelenORahilly) May 23, 2018
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Even airport security is #TogetherForYes
When I asked should I remove my badge at airport security the nice man told me 'no, show your support'. Lots of repeal jumpers on the last flight out tonight. ??#HometoVote pic.twitter.com/p8yVcj6GAM
— Darren Sinnott (@sinnotd) May 24, 2018
From Vietnam to LA to Australia, Irish citizens living all around the world are coming home to vote on this historic occasion.
highly recommend scrolling through the #hometovote to see just how far some women have travelled for #repealthe8th – here are some from LA, Australia, Vietnam, Argentina. pic.twitter.com/Gql1tSXO3N
— Rossalyn Warren (@RossalynWarren) May 24, 2018
For all those who were able to come #HomeToVote to #RepealThe8th, thank you for making the journey so others don’t have to.
