The yes vote in Ireland was widely applauded by a host of global celebrities, politicians and other notables who had been cheerleading for more liberalized Irish abortion regulations.
We’ll start with Boy George, who urged repeal of the Eighth Amendment before Friday’s landslide and gave a shout-out to all those who cast their votes in favor.
“Well done to the people of Ireland for trusting a women’s right to choose. I am especially happy for the women of Ireland and respectful towards those with an opposing view. Move forward with love and compassion!” the Boy tweeted on Saturday.
Read more: US Irish pro-life group offers asylum help to Irish fleeing Yes abortion vote
Roscommon’s famous son Chris O’Dowd has been consistently urging his social media followers to let women decide what to do with their bodies. The actor/comedian had some funny takes on the yes landslide – “Can’t believe the support of the Orange Order didn’t swing it,” he tweeted shortly after the results came in -- and he expressed pride that his home county easily passed the referendum. “A warm wave of social progress is washing over Ireland. Roscommon just got its feet wet and it feels glorious,” he declared.
Can’t believe the support of the Orange Order didn’t swing it. #YES
— chris o'dowd (@BigBoyler) May 26, 2018
U2, Cillian Murphy, Saoirse Ronan, Caitriona Balfe, Niall Horan, P!nk, Russell Crowe…the list of celebs in the yes camp goes on and on. Some politicians also took to their social accounts to praise the Irish people for their vote.
Cmon Ireland ! This is your day to make another great decision. Please do right by the great women of our nation . 🇮🇪
— Niall Horan (@NiallOfficial) May 25, 2018
Canadian PM Justin Trudeau, young and hip like Ireland’s Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, tweeted, “What a moment for democracy and women’s rights. Tonight, I spoke with Taoiseach @campaignforLeo and his team and congratulated them on the Yes side’s referendum victory legalizing abortion in Ireland. #repealedthe8th.”
What a moment for democracy and women’s rights. Tonight, I spoke with Taoiseach @campaignforLeo and his team and congratulated them on the Yes side’s referendum victory legalizing abortion in Ireland. #repealedthe8th
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) May 27, 2018
French leader Emmanuel Macron, another of the world’s younger PMs at 40, also extended a high-five to those who voted oui. “Ireland has once again made history. This vote will stand as an essential symbol for women's freedom,” he tweeted.
Even British PM Theresa May, 61, had to hand it to the Irish electorate. "The Irish referendum yesterday was an impressive show of democracy which delivered a clear and unambiguous result. I congratulate the Irish people on their decision and all of #Together4Yes on their successful campaign,” she said.
Here stateside, the vote was keenly watched. Cecile Richards, the recently departed leader of Planned Parenthood, was thrilled with the end result, which she said made her proud to be Irish.
Read more: Priests say Catholics who voted Yes on abortion can not be wed in Church
“Thrilling news from #Ireland! This is a victory that shows overwhelming public support for the ability of pregnant people to make their own health decisions. #Repealthe8th,” she tweeted.
Not everyone was psyched by the huge yes vote. Franklin Graham, son of the late preacher Billy who’s taken the mantle from his dad, told his millions of social media followers that the yes voters are gonna have to answer to a higher power...possibly sooner rather than later.
“Just because the majority in Ireland voted to repeal their 8th amendment, saying that murdering the unborn should be legal, doesn’t mean that it‘s right. So now, what they have decided is that the stronger have the right to take the life of the weaker. No matter what country you live in, everyone needs to remember that you will stand before God one day and give an account for your actions—and it may be sooner than later,” he wrote.
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