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Alliance for Choice undeterred by Billboard damage and abuse
PRESS RELEASE Monday 27th September 2021
On the eve of International Safe Abortion Day Alliance for Choice have two messages;
"Abortion is Normal."
and
"All sorts of people need abortions."
These messages were displayed on billboards in 11 sites across Northern Ireland alongside beautiful artwork by local artist, Nichola Irvine. Within days many billboards were damaged or destroyed completely. Within a week the campaign was reluctantly withdrawn by the company hosting the billboards, due to abuse of their staff and criminal damage to the billboards. The company wishes to identify those involved and are seeking legal advice on further action they can take.
Naomi Connor, Co Convenor said;"Our billboard locations were carefully selected to be visible by women and pregnant people accessing abortion care. It is unsurprising that anti choice people have resorted to harassment in an attempt to silence us, after all it is the kind of activity they engage in weekly outside clinics. We will not be silenced. They may be able to tear down a poster but they cannot tear down the pro choice majority. We had an incredibly positive reaction to our pro-choice message from members of the public and across social media."
Anti-choice online abuse and on-street harassment of women and pregnant people accessing abortion care must stop.
Emma Campbell, Co-Convenor added, “The billboards were funded by our amazing supporters chipping in to show they care about abortion seekers. Everyone loves someone who has had an abortion. Alliance for Choice will continue to ensure that there is free safe legal local abortion access for everyone who wants or needs one, regardless of the aggression anti-choice protesters show to healthcare staff and patients.”
In the coming days, we will continue with our campaign, albeit differently. We will not be deterred. Such despicable actions strengthen our resolve to normalise abortion healthcare in Northern Ireland.
We will not be bullied into silence.
ENDS
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Contact:
Emma Campbell 07894063965
Naomi Connor 07505096576
Alliance for Choice
@All4Choice
Further Information
The billboard images are stills from our series of short films ‘Who gets to choose?’ created by Alliance for choice with feminist artist Nichola Irvine.
Available at - https://www.alliance4choice.com/who-gets-to-choose
