As part of International Women’s Day, the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) is rallying students across Ireland to repeal the Eighth Amendment at Trinity College Dublin Front Square from 4:30pm. The rally comes as fears that a delay in voting on the wording of the referendum this week will see the referendum on the Eighth Amendment pushed to June.

Speaking ahead of the rally, USI President Michael Kerrigan said,

Millions of our young people have not had the opportunity to vote on this issue, and arguably it affects our future generations more than any other. UK Department of Health statistics show that over a quarter of those giving Irish addresses with their services are women between 18-24 years of age. Because of the reality of the Eighth Amendment, no Students’ Union has indicated that they wish to campaign to keep the Eighth Amendment.

“We issued letters to all members of the Cabinet asking for a May date for referendum, and no later. A May vote will ensure thousands of young people turning 18 during their last year of secondary school can vote. If a referendum extends any further past May, they will be sitting state examinations.”

The Union also raised concern about the thousands of students who are encouraged to seek J1 visas will not be in the country to vote, and the thousands of students who are on work placement as part of their college curriculum away from their family homes and cannot vote.

The Students For Choice rally will take place at 4:30pm in Trinity College Front Square with speakers from local Students’ Unions and USI before making its way to the Garden of Remembrance to join the ‘Votes For Repeal’.