Culture
08 May 18

Irish actors unite to show their support for the Together For Yes campaign with 'In Ireland Today'

A very important referendum is happening in Ireland this month and we have the choice to make history and finally give the women of this country full control over their bodies and some big Irish stars have put together a video in a last effort to get their voice out there.

Saoirse Ronan, Cillian Murphy, Tom Vaughn-Lawlor, Peter Coonan, Andrew Scott, Liam Cunningham, Moe Dunford, Ciaran Hinds, James Nesbitt, Victoria Smurfit, Pauline McLynn are just some of Ireland's acting talent who have come out in force to support the Together For Yes campaign with this powerful message to the voters.

The video, spoken by numerous famous faces, says the following;

"In Ireland today, if the woman sitting next to you is pregnant, she does not have full rights over her own body.

In Ireland today, women who find themselves in crisis pregnancies - be it a scared fifteen year old who has been sexually abused, or a terrified woman who has been raped - are forced to carry the pregnancy to term.

In Ireland today, at least two women or girls are taking abortion pills, unsafely, every day. They risk so much, with no medical support, and the threat of up to 14 years in prison.

In Ireland today, there are women carrying foetuses with fatal abnormalities with no chance of life. They have no option under the law, but to carry to term.

In Ireland today, there are women and girls whose health is on the line, who are travelling abroad for abortions, who are scared and alone.

This needs to change.

Why should anyone but me decide what happens to my own body? My. Own. Body.

On May 25th, you'll be asked to vote on whether we should repeal the 8th amendment in our constitution. A Yes vote is a vote for compassion, for care, for fairness and equality, for your sister, for your daughter, for your mates, for your niece, for your girlfriend, for yourself, for your granddaughter, for your mother, for your wife.

So come on Ireland, Vote yes, for women’s safety, for a just society, for a fairer Ireland.

Simply, for a woman's right to choose, we stand together with all of those who have had no option.

With the 12 women and girls, who travel every day, who travel alone, with those who have suffered in silence, with those who have been criminalised by the state.

We stand with the brave women and girls, who have stood and shared their stories.

And we mourn those who have died as a result of the Eighth Amendment.

This. Must. Stop.

In Ireland today.

Things. Can. Change.

This is a once in a lifetime vote

Please. Vote yes."