A delegation of pro-life students from four of Ireland’s universities took part in the recent Rally for Life march in the city centre.
Members of pro-life societies in UCD, Trinity College, NUI Maynooth and NUI Galway all marched on the streets of Dublin in protest of repealing the eighth amendment.
Robert Kelly, a member of Maynooth Pro-Life Society, believes the rally was reassuring for those who oppose voting to repeal Ireland’s abortions laws in the upcoming referendum.
“I felt really proud that day. It’s quite a change to be surrounded by openly pro-life people, especially since my time is spent on a university campus where the default is pro-choice,” he said.
Alexandra Brazil from UCD’s Life Society believes that student representation is important for the pro-life side.
“It is very important to have a pro-life voice on campus. This is to ensure that there is a balanced debate, but also we view it as a human right issue we feel strongly about”, she said.
Pro-life society members from Trinity College and NUI Galway were also happy with the rally’s turnout and are feeling confident that a “no” vote will win in May.
“Thanks so much to all our members who continue to help us advocate for women and babies,” wrote Students For Life Dublin – TCD on their Facebook page. “Let’s renew our commitment to honest, open and considerate debate and advocacy in the run up to the referendum.”
NUIG Life Society wrote on their Facebook page, “we are confident that the silent majority of Ireland is on the side of life, and that we will win a NO vote this referendum in May”.
DCU students were believed to have attended but not as part of a delegation representing DCU’s Life Society, according to Chairperson Elaine Sheehan.
“As far as I know, students from DCU joined the Students for Life group in the march”, she said. “I along with a number of others volunteered as stewards so I guess we were not really seen to be representing DCU on the day.”
Despite not marching together as a society, Sheehan insists that they are “feeling very confident” about the referendum.
Michelle Townsend
Image credit: The All Ireland Rally for Life