Irish abortion referendum: Pro or con, citizens are flying #HomeToVote

Irish citizens from around the world are flying home to vote in Ireland’s abortion referendum, and many are documenting their journeys on Twitter using the #HomeToVote hashtag.

On Friday, voters will decide whether to repeal the Eighth Amendment to the country’s constitution, which says a mother and her fetus have equal rights to life. If enough people vote yes to repeal, Ireland is expected to enact legislation that will allow for terminations up to 12 weeks into a pregnancy. If not, Ireland’s abortion laws—some of the strictest in the EU—will remain in place. As the BBC points out, for many Irish voters, this is the first time they have had a chance to weigh in on Ireland’s abortion laws, which have been in place since 1983.

The issue is resonating with voters, many of whom are willing to travel thousands of miles back to Ireland to register their vote. The #HomeToVote hashtag is filled with stories from men and women on both sides of the debate, but mostly among those voting to repeal. Some tweets explain why they are voting yes, some are sharing their travel tales, and others are even offering rides and to help defray the cost of traveling #HomeToVote.

Collectively, the hashtag posts offer a moving portrait of a movement, showing the magic of social media at its best as like-minded folks from around the world share stories, offer helping hands, and make their voices heard.

I’m coming #HomeToVote ! Will be traveling 5,169 miles from LA to Dublin and will be thinking of every Irish woman who has had to travel to access healthcare that should be available in their own country. Let’s do this, Ireland! #repealthe8th #VoteYes pic.twitter.com/fZDxUIGrs9

— Lauryn Canny (@LaurynCanny) May 23, 2018

Irish working in the UK: if there is anyone who can fly home to vote on Friday but doesn’t have the money, please DM me – I will pay for your flights home as I can’t come home myself. #HometoVote #Repeal8th #TogetherForYes

— Alice Murphy (@alicemurphy13) May 23, 2018

Right so I’m late with the offer because I didn’t know where finances would be this week but anyone abroad I can afford your flight #hometovote up to around 200 euro. Shout.#Together4Yes

— Vonny (@VonnyR7) May 21, 2018

My sister is coming #HomeToVote in the middle of her honeymoon. I couldn’t be more proud. Make the right choice to let people have a choice. It’s time to move Ireland into the 21st century #TogetherForYes

— Craig Irwin (@craigjirwin) May 23, 2018

Was actually so humbled and relieved to meet four other Irish people on the flight from Buenos Aires to London, all of them flying onwards to Dublin today or tomorrow to #voteyes. #hometovote #together4yes

— Ciaran Gaffney (@gaffneyciaran) May 23, 2018

I’m coming #hometovote! Thirty hours from Bangkok to Dublin on a mission to repeal that eighth and get my bodily autonomy ????#voteyes #together4yes #repeal #RepealThe8th pic.twitter.com/CKgLO0NDxk

— Louise Barry (@made0fglitter) May 23, 2018