UCD students' group backs the 'pro-life side'
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news report 
Friday March 01, 2002 00:33
by reader
Irish Times 28 february 2002
Abortion is an issue particularly relevant to students, a group which generally "have pro-life feelings. Very few are pro-abortion on demand".
On the campaign trail: Students continue to be strong campaigners on abortion and pro-life issues. Declan Fahy talks to a UCD group calling for a Yes vote.
Abortion is an issue particularly relevant to students, a group which generally "have pro-life feelings. Very few are pro-abortion on demand".
So says a group established by UCD students who are advocating a Yes vote on March 6th.
"We want to make it clear that Yes is the pro-life side," says Paul Brady, a 3rd year philosophy student and member of the UCD Yes to Life campaign.
Poster space was scarce in UCD this week, as voting in the college's student elections took place on Tuesday and through- out yesterday.
The students' Yes campaign had to compete for attention with the 11 candidates for five Student Union positions - as well as the advocates for a No vote. "It's pretty hectic," says Mr Brady, but adds that their campaign will now intensify.
Ms Seána Davin, chairwoman of the campaign and a 3rd year history student, said some of the campaigning on the No side urged a No vote if you were in doubt. But "we don't want to appeal to ignorance. We say: here's the information, make a decision according to your conscience."
And students are interested, she says, frequently stopping at their stall for long periods of time, asking specific questions - though many are confused about the issues. Queries by students have mainly focused on the pregnant woman's possible risk of suicide, and "the so-called crimina-lisation of women. This is a simple untruth", Mr Brady says.
The campaign, which currently has about 40 active members, developed from the UCD Life Society, which focuses on other issues such as euthanasia and genetic engineering. The campaign, say its members, has links to the Pro-Life Campaign and aims to provide information on the abortion issue to the college's staff and students.
A talk has been organised each week by the campaign, focusing on the main areas concerning the referendum. Mr Brady says they realise abortion is a sensitive issue. Shock tactics, therefore, should not be part of the campaign, he says.
The first talk gave an explanation of the issues involved. Ways of reducing the numbers of women who travel to the UK for abortions were outlined in the second. For the third talk, broadcaster Eamon Dunphy interviewed psychiatrist Prof Patricia Casey yesterday on the reasons why she will be voting Yes.
For those who have further questions, they have an email address info@UCDYestoLife.com where students can email their queries. The website UCDYesToLife.com also provides further information.
Comments (6 of 6)
Jump To Comment: 1 2 3 4 5 6This article may seem to show students in a bad light (though as per usual the "pro-life" side are bending the truth here), but all of my fellow students that i have talked to are voting NO! Not only are they voting no but they are pro-choice, they feel cheated that this is actually being asked of them, they feel disgusted that this question is still being pondered. The students i have spoken to as well as myself want free, legal, clinical abortions available in ireland. As well as being enraged by this alot of students are rightly worried over the access to the "morning after pill" and what future it will have. While previous voting has seen a low outcome, this election promises to be interesting as only two of the students i have spoken to didnt intend to vote, but after explaining the reprucusions of a YES vote they hastily changed their minds.
Students say NO!!!!
A recent survey in the University Observer, which is the students union's newspaper in UCD, showed that 64% of UCD students will be voting NO in the referendum. The survey also showed that there was little confusion on the issues involved among students. Students are clearly pro choice, this was shown in a survey earlier in the year which showed that 66% of first years considered themselves prochoice.
I've been doing a bit of campaigning for a No vote in UCD, students are very supportive of a No vote in the college.
Given that this is a referendum the various media outlets do have an obligation to provide balance - so therefore there should be information on the activities of 'No' campaigners in UCD.
Students or groups in UCD should write to the Irish Times pointing this out.
Article reads like it was written by a mate of someone conncted to the 'Yes' campaign there.
If you think the Irish Times is biased on the Pro-life side you must be very confused.
*****And students are interested, she says, frequently stopping at their stall for long periods of time, asking specific questions - though many are confused about the issues. Queries by students have mainly focused on the pregnant woman's possible risk of suicide, and "the so-called crimina-lisation of women. This is a simple untruth", Mr Brady says****
Whats simply untrue?
Pregnant women sometimes commit sucide, a sad and tragic fact. This amendment ain't going to change that.
And secondly anyone commiting an abortion for reasons not covered in this amendment can lead to criminal prosecution.
Vote no, support women
Liz - I was not commenting on the Irish Times policy relating to the referendum, I was talking about the specific article posted above, which does not mention any pro-choice campaign in UCD - when in fact there is a big and active one.
Also I do not need to be told I am 'confused', thank you very much.
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