Language activists marked the start of a period of protest in Aberystwyth
today to press the Welsh Government to change its policies to ensure the
Welsh language grows over the years ahead.

Campaigners unveiled banners on bridges across Wales over the weekend - from
Menai bridge to the Severn bridge - calling on the Government to act starting on
Pont Trefechan in Aberystwyth. This series of symbolic campaigns is a response
to the crisis shown by the Census results over a year ago.

In August last year, Cymdeithas yr Iaith wrote to First Minister Carwyn Jones
asking him to give a statement of intent in six policy fields by 1st February
2014, such Welsh-medium education for all and a new planning system to benefit
the language. Instead of acting on those six points, last November, the First
Minister announced he would be developing a new app and website and 5-a-day
campaign to encourage people to use Welsh.

Unveiling a banner on Trefechan bridge in Aberystwyth, Robin Farrar, Chair of
Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg said:  “Over a year since the Census results,
changes in Government policy which will enable everyone to live their lives in
Welsh are long overdue. We’re launching this period of protest, and calling on
the Government to act in six specific areas, in order to change the fate of our
language. With political will things can change for the better, but to date the
Government’s response has been laughable. A new website and an app is not a good
enough response to the crisis - there needs to be an ambitious response in
education, planning and funding. Hopefully our protests will spur them act.”

“Carwyn Jones himself acknowledges his concerns about the state of the language.
But instead of showing positive leadership to get to grips with the challenge
which threatens it, the Labour Government is still dragging its feet. Despite a
full year of letter writing, holding meetings, taking part in conferences and
endless discussions with the Government, it appears to us by now, that civil
disobedience, and positive action is the only way of ensuring Carwyn Jones and
the Government act.”

Support for this new period of campaigning has gained support from well-known
members of Welsh civil life, including the historian and activist Dr. Meredydd
Evans: “It’s later than ever in the day for us. Young and Old, through word and
action, we must support Cymdeithas yr Iaith in these troublesome times.”

The events on Menai Bridge; Pont Cysylltau, Wrecsam; Aberteifi, Llandeilo and
the Severn bridge are symbolic campaigns to launch a new period of putting
pressure on the Labour Government to act urgently for the Welsh language.

Cymdeithas yr Iaith members are calling for the Government to adopt 6 basic
policy changes: Welsh-medium education for all; fair funding for the Welsh
language; making Welsh the language of work; clear language rights; a
community-focused planning system and making Welsh central to sustainable
development.