A SERIES of events will be held this weekend to mark the 50th anniversary of West Belfast Kieran Nugent beginning the blanket protest.
On September 14, 1976 Nugent was sentenced to three years for hijacking a bus.
He became the first republican prisoner convicted since the withdrawal of Special Category Status for those convicted through juryless courts, due to the British policy of 'criminalisation', reintroduced that March.
Among other things, this change in policy meant convicted paramilitaries could no longer wear their own clothes. He refused to wear the prison uniform, declaring himself a political prisoner and not a criminal, beginning the blanket protest.
Within weeks others joined the blanket protest and eventually it escalated to the dirty protest which culminated in the 1981 hunger strikes.
Kieran passed away in 2000, aged just 42 years old.
Organised by the Falls Commemoration Committee, the programme of events begins in Ionad Eileen Howell-St Comgalls on Saturday at 1pm with a special book launch of 'Kieran Nugent The First Blanket Man' followed by a panel discussion.
The panel includes Danny Morrison, former Sinn Féin Director of Publicity; Síle Darragh, former leader of the protesting prisoners in Armagh Women’s Gaol; and Gerry McConville, former blanket man and cellmate of Kieran Nugent.
On Sunday at 1.30pm, there will be graveside oration by Tom Hartley at the City Cemetery, followed by a showing of the Kieran Nugent play at Davitt’s GAA, Clonard Street. On Monday, a White Line Picket will take place at the International Wall at 5pm.
Speaking to the Andersonstown News, Danny Morrison, who edited the new book, said: "The blanket protest was a significant event. What came after was the no-wash protest, women's protest and three hunger strikes. They all had a profound impact on politics here.
"Kieran Nugent was a young man who grew up on the Falls and experienced at first hand the pogroms of August 1969 and the Falls Curfew.
"In 1973, he was seriously wounded after being shot eight times in the chest, arms and back by the loyalists from a car. His friend, Bernard McErlean, aged 16, was killed.
"He was a very strong-willed and determined character. In prison, he was the right man in the right place and he took a stance against the British.
"He was beaten, he was isolated. He refused to do prison work and refused to put on the prison uniform. It was absolutely huge. It was so defiant.
"It is nice to be able to commemorate Kieran with a series of events. The book is made up of contributions from a range of people, which I edited.
"Everyone is welcome to attend the events over the weekend."
Following the book launch, it will be available to purchase in An Fhuiseog, Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich and then in all good bookshops.
