New Government urged to turn the tide for the Welsh Language

Following the results of the Senedd election, Cymdeithas yr Iaith is calling on the new Welsh Government to take action in support of the language and Welsh-speaking communities, and will hold a major rally in July.

Cymdeithas will hold the ‘Troi’r Llanw dros y Gymraeg’ (Turn the Tide for the Welsh Language) rally on Saturday, 4 July, at Y Traeth Stadium (Porthmadog) at 1pm. The aim of the rally is to pressure the new government to act in favour of the Welsh language.

Over the weekend, a 10-metre-long banner was raised on the stadium’s outer fence to promote the event. 

One of the rally speakers, Mirain Owen, Vice-Chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith, said:

“The aim of the rally is to call on the new Welsh Government to turn the tide for the Welsh language, following decades of campaigning. The language and Welsh-speaking communities cannot afford to wait for another parliamentary term without strong action to create homes and jobs for young Welsh people in their communities, to regulate the housing market, and to support community co-operative initiatives.

“We will also be calling for full implementation of the Welsh Education Act, and for a genuine opportunity to use Welsh in every area of life.

“In short, we are calling on the Government to turn the tide in favour of the Welsh language rather than leaving Welsh speakers to swim against the current. We ask a simple question - if we do not seize this opportunity, then when will effective action for the Welsh language come?”

Among other speakers at the rally will be Dafydd Iwan, Mici Plwm, and Siân Howys. Cleif Harpwood will perform a set including his new song calling for a ‘Second Revolution’, as well as songs by Gwyneth Glyn and the young bands Yr Anghysur and Y Ddelwedd.