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Link to this page: https://www.socialistparty.org.uk/articles/15711

Posted on 16 November 2012 at 20:58 GMT

Protesting against Ireland's abortion laws outside the Irish embassy in London, 14.11.12, photo N Cafferky (Click to enlarge)

Pro-choice protests continue following Savita death

Socialist Party building solidarity campaign calling for immediate legislation for Case X

Following the tragic death in Ireland of Savita Halappanavar after being denied a medically necessary abortion of a miscarrying foetus, protests are continuing across the world for a change in Irish law.

Sarah Wrack, Socialist Women (England/Wales), said: "The Socialist Party fully backs the protests that continue to take place.

"Savita's death has ignited an existing anger at the horrific situation facing women in Ireland. On Wednesday night we joined 200 protesters outside the Irish embassy in London calling for immediate action to legislate for Case X, which stipulated 20 years ago that abortion should be allowed in cases where the mother's life is at risk".

Another protest has been organised for this Saturday, 17th November, at 4pm outside the Irish embassy on Grosvenor Place, London, in solidarity with a protest in Dublin at the same time.

Protesting against Ireland's abortion laws outside the Irish embassy in London, 14.11.12, photo by N Cafferky (Click to enlarge)

Socialist Party (Ireland)/ United Left Alliance MEP Paul Murphy has called for an international day of action for legal abortion in Ireland on Wednesday 21 November.

In England and Wales the Socialist Party is asking people to join us in delivering a letter of protest to the Irish embassy on Grosvenor Place in London at 9am on that day, and solidarity actions.

This will include taking part in the National Union of Students demonstration in London on the same day.

Claire Laker-Mansfield, national organiser of Socialist Students said: "Speakers on the Socialist Students stages at the start and end of the demonstration will address the struggle for abortion rights across Ireland and the tragic case of Savita.

"We will also be petitioning on the day and will have a model motion for student unions calling for legal abortion in Ireland.

"It is apt that we take part in this demonstration against fees, cuts and privatisation in education. Those politicians who call themselves 'pro-life' are the very same who vote to attack the living conditions and rights of children and families across the world.

"Why do they only care about children before they are born? Because in reality it has nothing to do with life and everything to do with having control over women and their bodies."

Protests are also organised outside the Dail in Dublin and Town Hall in Bangalore, the capital of Kanartaka, the region of India Savita was from.

Call 07956 132470 for further comment.

19.11.12: See also Abortion rights letter to be handed to Irish embassy

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