Anti-internment rally is held in Belfast and women undertake a 24 hour hunger strike in support of internees.
Following the introduction of internment in August 1971, HMS Maidstone was docked in Belfast Harbour and repurposed as a prison ship for republican internees. On 31 March 1972, 130 prisoners held on the Maidstone went on hunger strike, vowing not to take food until conditions improved. A group of Belfast women undertake a 24 hour hunger strike and sit down in solidarity with the internees,.
A mass anti-internment rally is held at Beechmount Avenue in Belfast. Addressing the crowd Member of Parliament Paddy Kennedy calls for the release of all internees and political prisoners.
Even after all the internees are released we have not won this struggle.
The Special Powers Act is still on the statute books and will remain after the last internee is released. Therefore,
We must ensure that Special Powers Act is abolished forever.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 9 April 1972.
