#CitizensAssembly is trending on Twitter and little wonder why.
The Citizens Assembly, made up of a random selection of 99 members of Irish electorate, has been meeting over the past several months to deliberate over the future of the Eighth Amendment to the Irish constitution.
Today its members voted not to keep Article 40.3.3 in full but to only amend it rather than get rid of it altogether.
The Article gives an unborn child the same right to life as the woman carrying the child.
Many pro-choice campaigners have reacted with dismay on social media at the decision not to repeal the Eighth Amendment.
Dreadful result on ballot 2 44% for repeal,56% to amend or replace 40.3.3 Unsurpised given utter confusion of advice given #CitizensAssembly
— Colm O’Gorman (@Colmogorman) April 22, 2017
Devastated for all women in Ireland today. Never stop fighting. More strikes, more direct action. #repealthe8th
— SertOne:Father Yöd (@SertOne) April 22, 2017
Citizens Assembley bottled it?#repealthe8th
— Tim O’Brien (@TheIrishTim) April 22, 2017
There was frustration too.
FFS. STILL?! #repealthe8th
— Siobhán ? (@wigglymittens) April 22, 2017
How infuriating. That is ludicrous on behalf of our government and their #CitizensAssembly. What an absolute joke of a system. #RepealThe8th
— Elaine Buckley (@ElaineBucko) April 22, 2017
Some welcomed the news, however.
The 8th should remain. I know it’s hard for women but to me the unborn is a living thing and must have equal rights. #citizensassembly
— Daniel Fitzpatrick (@fitzpatrick_df) April 22, 2017
@waynekearns Abortion is not “healthcare”. It’s life-ending, not life-saving. #citizensassembly
— Cora Sherlock ??? (@CoraSherlock) April 22, 2017
But many Repealers vowed to keep up their campaign.
We can’t and mustn’t stop till the 8th is repealed. TDs get ready. The mna of Ireland are angry #CitizensAssembly #repealthe8th
— Carly Bailey (@CarlyBee25) April 22, 2017
We’ll keep fighting, striking and voting. We’ve been knocked but we’re not down. Eventually, we will #repealthe8th #CitizensAssembly
— Claragh Lucey (@CurlyLocks483) April 22, 2017
We have to keep fighting for a full Repeal of the 8th Amendment. We will keep fighting and we will be heard. #repealthe8th #CitizensAssembly
— Jess? (@DeathIsntBlonde) April 22, 2017
