U2 have come out in favour of repealing the Eighth Amendment in Ireland's upcoming abortion referendum, just three weeks before vote day.
The band took to their social media channels earlier to share a picture of the repeal logo with the reminder: "Vote on May 25th".
The tweet split opinion, with dozens of fans unfollowing the Dublin superstars on Twitter as many others came out in support.
One furious fan wrote: "This breaks my heart. I have loved and followed you for 20 years. I still love you but I can’t follow you down this road. My tickets to upcoming shows will go unused".
Another said: "Life is beautiful, how can you deny it to these children when each of us would cling to our own so fiercely?"
A third added: "'Freedom has a scent like the top of a newborn baby’s head' — interesting to know you no longer want babies to have that freedom. You offer 'choice' to those who will ensure babies will never reach “newborn” status. A lot of your songs now very questionable."
However, a number of Twitter users rallied behind the quarter's pro-choice message.
Not a U2 fan, but if you're offended that they're making political stances, are you even a fan?
— Fintan Hennessy (@FintanHennessy) May 1, 2018
One wrote: "Not a fan, but deeply deeply grateful. Had to say it again".
Another said: "Just when I think I can’t love this band more. Thank you for taking a stand on this issue. As a woman and a longtime fan, bravo".
A third tweeted: "Thank you for trying to get health care and body autonomy for women the same as men have."
Speaking in Tulsa, Oklahoma ahead of the first gig in U2's eXPERIENCE & iNNOCENCE tour, guitarist Edge said the band had chosen its message "carefully" due to the emotionally charged debate that has proceeded the May 25 vote in Ireland.
He said: “I think we acknowledged that it’s a very emotive issue and I think that we acknowledged that we have very strong feelings on both sides.
“I personally am in favour of repealing, but I do understand why people might have a problem with that. The important thing is to vote.”
Bassist Adam Clayton revealed that the band were unlikely to have enough time out of their busy schedule to vote in the referendum, despite their support for the repeal campaign.
"We’ve looked a the possibility, but when you’re away it’s too complicated," he said.
