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From The Socialist newspaper, 5 October 2016
Leeds: Solidarity demo with Irish abortion fight
photo Leeds SP (Click to enlarge)
Socialists in Leeds called on the Irish government to repeal the 8th Amendment to the Irish Constitution at a city centre solidarity protest on 27 September.
The amendment bans abortions and is the focus of a campaign by Rosa (for Reproductive rights against Oppression, Sexism and Austerity) a campaigning group set up by Socialist Party members in Ireland.
Protest organiser Amy Cousens spoke about the injustice of this sexist policy, giving examples of women who had suffered greatly as a result. Maddy Andrews, equality and diversity officer at Leeds Beckett student union and Tannis Belsham-Wray, a Socialist Party member, also made speeches about the need to fight for the abolition of the 8th Amendment. They explained how cuts to social and welfare budgets are further punishing women.
Iain Dalton, West Yorkshire organiser for the Socialist Party, concluded the protest with a speech further emphasising the links between oppression in society and austerity which is perpetuating inequality. He went on to discuss recent attempts by the Irish government to introduce water charges as an example of the wealthy few forcing the poorer majority to pay for the their mistakes through crippling austerity measures.
Yorkshire socialists stand with Rosa and Irish women to repeal the 8th Amendment and allow women to take back control of their reproductive rights.
Heidi Scarce, Leeds Socialist Students
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In The Socialist 5 October 2016:
What we think
Combative, vibrant unions should be central to the Corbyn movement
Socialist Party news and analysis
Sam Allardyce corruption shame: reclaim the game!
Asos workers fear taking toilet breaks, sacked for panic attacks
UK workers born in early 1980s half as wealthy as those born in 1970s
Millions have less than £100 savings
Black History Month
Workplace news and analysis
RMT president Sean Hoyle speaks to the Socialist
Durham teaching assistants ballot for strike
Napo conference 2016: new mood of determination
London Met strike against job cuts and victimisation
Socialist readers' comments and reviews
Corbyn's praise for Cardiff Labour is mistaken
Review: where you live can kill you
Review: international jazz protest storytelling
Socialist Students
Socialist ideas - winning a new generation of students
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Thousands march against Tory conference
Protests against children's centre closures in Bolton
Why I joined the Socialist Party
Fighting fund record smashed again!
Leeds: Solidarity demo with Irish abortion fight
London: Socialism Today milestone celebration
Worcester: Public meeting discusses Corbyn
International socialist news and analysis
Poland: Fighting back against anti-abortion law
Ireland: repeal the 8th Amendment!
Joint declaration by Izquierda Revolucionaria and the CWI
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