Over 150 Welsh language supporters gathered at a Cymdeithas yr Iaith rally to speak out about the Census results in Merthyr Tudful today (11am, Saturday, 5th January).

The protestors held up signs saying "Dwi eisiau byw yn Gymraeg'’ (I want to live in Welsh) and the the group handed out copies of its ‘maniffesto byw’ (living manifesto) which includes over 20 policies to increase the number of Welsh speakers and its use.

According to the Census, there were twenty thousand fewer Welsh speakers in Wales down to 19% of the population from almost 21% a decade ago. The Welsh Government had a target of increasing the number of speakers by 5% to over a quarter of the population.

The crowd was addressed by local school pupil Morgan Powell, along with Plaid Cymru Leader Leanne Wood, and the author Catrin Dafydd. Local musicians Kizzy Crawford and Delyth McLean also performed.

Speaking after the rally, Morgan Powell, 16-year old pupil in Ysgol Rhydywaun who’s a Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg member commented:

“My parents, along with so many others, want us to live our lives in Welsh - that’s why they have invested so much in Welsh medium education. We need to treasure and strengthen our unique inheritance which is the Welsh language.

“Neither Merthyr council nor the Welsh Government are matching the commitment of local people to the Welsh language. That’s why the language faces a crisis. The heartbreaking results of the Census have shown that the authorities have failed in their aim of raising the number of Welsh speakers, and , worse, their ways of doing it have had a damaging effect on the language’s state. As a young person in Welsh medium education, I believe there need to be radical and  changes in the attitude of the authorities, as well as basic changes to the education system and the way the language is promoted amongst the young people.”

The pressure group is encouraging contributions from the public and communities to its manifesto on Twitter by using the hashtag #maniffestobyw or emailing post@cymdeithas.org, in order to develop the ideas further.

Cymdeithas yr Iaith’s sustainable communities spokesperson Toni Schiavone added:

“There’s no point sitting back and accepting the Census results: with positive campaigning and political will, we can change the Welsh language’s fate. As a group we don’t claims to have all the answers, so we will be encouraging  communities and individuals to add to these ideas. Without a doubt,  there needs to be a series of clear and bold policies from the Welsh Government  in every field, but especially education, planning, housing and the workplace to reverse the decline. We recognise the seriousness of the situation, so we are opening up our ideas for a discussion and hope to engage people across the country.”

Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg has asked for an urgent meeting with the First Minister Carwyn Jones to discuss the state of the Welsh language on the 11th December and are awaiting a response.