WE ALL NEED a pick me up now and again. None more so currently than anyone who is out doing their bit for the Yes side in the referendum.
Don't forget about our Organising Meeting tonight, 7.30pm, Celbridge Manor Hotel. Find out how you can get involved for the final month of the #TogetherForYes campaign. And we have biscuits! ALL the biscuits! pic.twitter.com/puK5pf6Wip
— Celbridge Together For Yes (@CelbridgeRepeal) April 30, 2018
The last few weeks have been intense with graphic images displayed outside the Rotunda yesterday as well as reports of people being verbally abused while canvassing.
Comedian and long time activist Tara Flynn has decided she wants to amplify all the positive things that have come out of canvassing, stalls and general conversations people have been having. And there have been A LOT of conversations happening.
I want to try to use the next few weeks to drown out No campaign antics by signal boosting Yes peeps’ positive action. Let’s hear and share those canvassing stories, chats that surprised you, a fun event or self care day. Hit me! 🙂💕
— Tara Flynn (@TaraFlynn) May 1, 2018
The results are incredibly wholesome indeed.
People seem to be having very nice and important conversations.
Just dropped my elderly uncle, hes 81,to the doc. On the way we saw some vote No posters....plucked up the courage to ask...how will you vote?.."this generation have courage for change and it needs to be supported, I'll be voting yes".....it made my day😊😊😊
— Catherine Mason (@hurlingmum) May 1, 2018
Nicest conversation I've had canvassing was with an extremely thoughtful and gracious nun (she answered door and told us it was religious community - we apologised for bothering her and were going to leave but then she engaged us in a lovely chat about forging consensus. V moving
— Anna Carey (@urchinette) May 1, 2018
2 different young women in inner city flats, D8. Tattoos, tank tops, kids around. Stopped what they were doing to talk. Had thought a lot about it. Kept their own babies when they were teenagers. Very undecided, b/c it really matters to them.
— Carol Ballantine (@Cballantine) May 1, 2018
They listened, + might vote yes
And going to extraordinary lengths to have them.
My baby sister made her communion last weekend. My mam had about 30 adults over in her house and I talked to each one (through FaceTime as I live in LA but will be flying home to vote in a few weeks) and each of them vouched they would be voting yes! pic.twitter.com/kVbOP5na8z
— Lauryn Canny (@LaurynCanny) May 1, 2018
People are looking out for each other too.
Passed graphic anti-choice imagery at Holles St yesterday, got on my bus and half the bus (men, women, all ages) were talking about the posters, how awful they are and that they’re voting yes. Did my heart good.
— Catherine (@caffymcg) May 1, 2018
And finding all sorts of ways to get involved.
I started doing 4k walks around Waterford in my REPEAL jumper last week. I was expecting vitriol. I mostly get smiles from fellow walkers.. Somebody beeped and waved from their car. It made my day. X pic.twitter.com/zfTrcqehuF
— Graceless Hippo (@Jo_Forty) May 1, 2018
And wearing Repeal things out and about is a REVELATION. Every time I've gone out wearing a Repeal shirt or pin, people talk to me. The guy at Argos. The woman in the cafe (who I gave a badge to!). The person walking towards me giving me a thumbs up.
— Aoife 🌈 (@flyingteacosy) May 1, 2018
We're everywhere.
We had a Clothes Swap for #Repeal - it was great fun. We raised well over €100 for #Together4Yes and I got these fab boots... Everyone's a winner! #LetsDoThis #KeepingitPositive pic.twitter.com/SRVfPKoQFl
— Róisín Loughrey (@roisinloughrey) May 1, 2018
Those who can’t vote are finding any way to help.
My front door, doing a Molly Bloom. I can't vote, but long talks with my kids. They have their own reasons for voting Yes :) pic.twitter.com/627yt66fzt
— Annette Skade (@askade_skade) May 1, 2018
My 85 year old grandmother is voting yes because she’s “had enough of aul’ men telling me what to do”. My 17 year old cousin is devastated she can’t vote, so she’s canvassing her over 18 friends.
— Kate 🐻 (@euphrosyna) May 1, 2018
We (@Longford4Repeal) were having a coffee morning on Saturday and were handed this note from a lady who had been listening. Rural Ireland is ready for change 💛 pic.twitter.com/YVStWxg8WY
— Sharon Leavy (@SharonLeavy1) May 1, 2018
Older people voting yes is making everyone emotional.
And GAWD, the old men. The old men of this country. The quiet ones who look you in the eye, shake your hand and just say "yes". And you know that there is so damn much behind that 'yes'. And you want to do right by those men who've seen too much.
— Aoife 🌈 (@flyingteacosy) May 1, 2018
“Hmph. Well I voted against it in 1983. So take from that what you will” “Thanks Dad!”
— Sarah Jennings (@sarahjennngs) May 1, 2018
Man in his 70s answered the door to me in a v. Swanky area of Cork.
— Martha Halbert (@MarthaHalbert) May 1, 2018
‘How am I voting?! At MY age??’ (Fake indignation)
‘Together for Yes, of course! Is that all?’
Massive smile on my face for the rest of the canvass.
As are the pets for Choice.
I met a bearded dragon for Choice and it still remains my favourite moment of canvassing!
— Rachel O’Neill (@ronronzo) May 1, 2018
But everyone keeps coming back to those conversations.
Canvassing in inishowen, very positive overall, lots of people on the fence, confused about it all. At 1 door a young GAA player yesterday summed it all up perfectly for me ‘Nobody wants to be in the situation, but if they find themselves there, I’d want them to have a choice’
— Jaime Nanci (@JaimeNanci) May 1, 2018
With 24 days until polling day, the more positive experiences we can share the better!
If you’re not already registered to vote you have until May 8th to get on the supplemental register. More information can be found here.
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