Morrisons Bangor branch targeted in language demo.

Cyhoeddwyd gan gweinyddwr ar Sad, Ion 27th am 4:35 yp

About 250 Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg members targeted the Morrisons store in Bangor today at the end of their demonstration calling for a New Welsh Language Act. The demonstration started by the town clock at 2pm after which the protesters marched to the Morrisons Store in Upper Bangor.After arriving at the store, the 250 strong protesting group staged a sit-in at the entrance of the Morrisons store. Gwenno Teifi, Stiwart Edwards and Bethan Williams were arrested for placing posters on the shop windows, explaining to customers why the protest had taken place.

Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg had held discussions with Morrison's concerning their language policy last year. But as yet the company has still not adopted a bilingual mpolicy.Dewi Snelson. Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg organiser in North Wales said:

"In November, along with Ffred Ffransis I was involved in discussions with Morrison's at their headquarters in Bradford. It seemed then that they were intent on adopting a language policy for Wales. But as yet nothing has happened. We had specifically asked the company to:

1. Ensure that all their permanent signs would be bilingual
2. Their promotional literature should be bilingual.
3. Morrisons were asked to consult with local colleges about the training of bilingual staff
4. Morrisons should label their own products in both English and Welsh
5. Public messages delivered over their internal tanny system should be bilingual.
6. Information releveant to Wales on their website should be bilingual
7. Every effort should be made to sell local prodice in their shop."

Cymdeithas chair, Steffan Cravos, who led the demonstration said:

"The fact that Morrisons have failed to keep their word is proof enough of the need for a New Welsh Language Act. We therefore call on all the political parties in Wales to support our call for a New Welsh Language Act which will give Welsh equal status with English in the private sector."

Steffan Cravos, Chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith, Bethan Williams, Chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith at Bangor University and Hywel Williams MP, Plaid Cymru spokesperson on the Welsh language.