Eight thousand Welsh Independence campaigners marched in Wrexham on Saturday afternoon to again call for separation from the United Kingdom. It was the first time a demonstration of its kind took place in Wales since events in Cardiff, Merthyr and Caernarfon in 2019.
The event was organised by All Under One Banner (AUOB) Cymru, Indy Fest Wrexham and YesCymru. The crowd donned red clothing and sang and chanted as they marched from Llwyn Isaf and continued through the city centre to Wrexham Civic Centre.
After the march, a rally took place at the civic centre with speakers such as Dafydd Iwan, Pol Wong from IndyFest Wrexham, poet and activist Evrah Rose, comedian and broadcaster Tudur Owen, Wrexham County Councillor Carrie Harper and Archdruid Myrddin ap Dafydd.
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Mr Iwan roused the crowd with a passionate rendition of Yma o Hyd to close the event, before saying: “A new spirit is spreading throughout Wales, and the feeling is growing that we can do better for the people of Wales if we do it ourselves. That is the true meaning of Independence, not a separation, but joining all the other nations who govern themselves. Wales is beginning to believe in itself, and nothing can hold back a nation which has self-belief.”
Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price was also seen in attendance at the event and issued his own independence plea ahead of the march saying “Wales has a choice” to “take our future into our own hands”. He also referred to the union as a “sinking ship”.
As marchers continued to soak in the atmosphere on a sunny afternoon, Mr Owen told the crowd: “The case for independence has been made. We now need the consent of the people of Wales and that is our next challenge.”
There was also a special video message of support from Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald who said: “I wish you every success with your march today, you will always have friends here in Ireland. Above all, I wish you a future that matches the hopes and aspirations of the Welsh people.”
One of the organisers of the March for Independence, Kieran Thomas, said: “We were so disappointed when Covid put paid to our plans two years ago, but we are over the moon that people believe so strongly in the cause that they have travelled from all over Wales to get here today.
“People want a better Wales and can see that the dysfunctional British state is not going to provide it. This march has been a big economic boost for Wrexham and months of hard work has paid off.”
Just this week, the First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, has laid out her plans to hold a second referendum on Scottish independence, which she hopes will be on October 19, asking the question “Should Scotland be an independent country?”
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