CAMPAIGNERS for Welsh independence have pledged support to Yes voters in Scotland following the announcement of the date for indyref2.
The pledge came as more than 6000 campaigners took to the streets of Wrexham for the first Welsh march and rally since the Covid pandemic began.
The march was part of a full weekend of activities organised by AUOB Cymru in partnership with IndyFest Wrexham and YesCymru.
There was also a special video message of support from Sinn Fein 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.”
Musician Dafydd Iwan, who roused the crowd with a passionate rendition of Yma o Hyd – which means “we are still here” – said a new spirit was spreading through Wales.
“The feeling is growing that we can do better for the people of Wales if we do it ourselves,” he said.
“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.”
This was the fourth in a series of Welsh marches for independence, with the previous three marches held in 2019 in Cardiff, Caernarfon and Merthyr.
Speaking at the event, broadcaster and comedian Tudur Owen stressed that the case for Welsh independence had been made.
“We now need the consent of the people of Wales and that is our next challenge,” he said.
Christine Moore of YesCymru told the Sunday National that Welsh activists had been given a boost by the announcement of a date for a second Scottish independence referendum.
“We are 100% behind you,” she said. “We will try and support you as much as we possibly can because we think it will aid our case as well.
“We have been waiting for this as there is a body of thought that says if Scotland becomes independent then Wales might too.
“People will start asking ‘what about Wales’ because we are largely ignored by England anyway so we feel it is beneficial to us on all counts.
“We are really hoping that you get the opportunity for a referendum and it would be very nice to think the application to the Supreme Court to hold one is favourable. In the end, it is only a question of time – after so long it becomes a dictatorship.”
The next Welsh march for independence will be held in Cardiff on October 1.
Kieran Thomas, one of the organisers of yesterday’s event, said months of hard work had paid off and had resulted in a big economic boost for Wrexham.
“We are over the moon that people believe so strongly in the cause that they travelled from all over Wales to get here,” he said. “People want a better Wales and can see that the dysfunctional British state is not going to provide it.”
