Today (Saturday, June 10) at its National Festival – held at the Great Hall in Aberystwyth’s Arts Centre – Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg (Welsh Language Society) will call on all the Assembly’s opposition parties to join forces in order to make sure that the Labour Government responds to the need for a new Welsh Language Act. This call will reflect the fact that there is now a growing consensus in favour of such legislation. As a result, a united campaign is needed in order to put pressure on the Government.

Press here to see video footage of the FestivalWhen addressing the meeting, Catrin Dafydd, co-ordinator of the campaign for a new Welsh Language Act:‘By now there is now a growing consensus in favour of a New Welsh Language Act. This is a consensus, which includes Cymdeithas yr Iaith, The Welsh Language Board and many of the Assembly’s opposition parties.‘Over the past few months, more and more parties and organisations have adopted the arguments put forward by Cymdeithas yr Iaith in favour of a New Welsh Language Act. These arguments include; the need for the Welsh language to be given official status; the need to establish a series of basic language rights for the people of Wales; and the need for a Commissioner for Welsh.‘At present, the Assembly Government refuses to take any part in this debate. As a result, a united campaign is needed in order to make sure that the need for a new Welsh Language Act is given proper attention. As part of such a campaign, all the opposition parties should join forces in order to put pressure on the Government. They should begin by including a commitment to a Welsh Language Act in their manifestos for the 2007 election.’Cymdeithas yr Iaith’s campaign for further legislation will continue. Today, the organisation will launch a national petition calling for New Welsh Language Act. This petition will form the basis of its campaign over the summer months. Already the petition has received the support of many national organisations.The festival is organised by Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg (Welsh Language Society) with the support of many Welsh organisations, including Merched y Wawr, UCAC, Plaid Cymru, Cymuned, Cylch yr Iaith and UMCA. Without any doubt this will be an important and timely event.The festival will be opened with a special ceremony to honour the contribution of Eileen Beasley to Welsh life. This is the woman who is widely acknowledged as the Rosa Parks of the Welsh language movement. The ceremony will be led by Professor Hywel Teifi Edwards.Gweinidog yn gwadu galwad am ddeddf - BBC Cymru'r Byd, 11 Mehefin 2006Minister dismisses Welsh law call - BBC Wales, 11 Mehefin 2006Push for Welsh Act - Wales on Sunday, 11 Mehefin 2006Iaith: 'Angen consensws' - BBC Cymru'r Byd, 10 Mehefin 2006Anrhydeddu 'Rosa Parks Cymru' - BBC Cymru'r Byd, 10 Mehefin 2006Jones calls for new language act - BBC Wales, 10 Mehefin 2006'Ordinary' family's bravestance on the language - Western Mail, 10 Mehefin 2006Give new rights to our Welsh speakers - Daily Post, 09 Mehefin 2006Plaid leader in language call - Western Mail, 09 Mehefin 2006Welsh parties consider new language law - epolitix.com, 09 Mehefin 2006