'We are the generation who will change it': Thousands march calling for Welsh independence
Since 2019, thousands of people have taken part in independence marches across Wales – in places like Caernarfon, Merthyr, Wrexham, Bangor, Swansea, Carmarthen and Cardiff – and today it was Barry's turn to host the march. Organisers said the town played a key role in the Cymru Fydd movement for Welsh self-government in the 1890s.
After the march, crowds gathered for a rally in King Square. There were speeches from supporters including former Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood, Catalan campaigner Anna Arqué i Solsona, political activist Kiera Marshall, Wales Green Party spokesperson Tessa Marshall and singer-songwriter Eädyth Crawford.
Vale of Glamorgan Plaid Cymru councillor Mark Hooper was MC for the rally which also included live music from Emma Winter, known from Y Llais, the Welsh version of The Voice.
For the first time at a March for Independence, all speakers and performers – other than the MC – were women. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter her
Kiera Marshall, 27, from Swansea, told the crowd: "How can we afford not to be independent? The UK system keeps us poor, while our children go hungry and cold. We are the generation bearing the brunt of this system – but we are also the generation who will change it. I cannot wait to stand here again one day, not in protest, but in celebration of a free and fair Wales.'
Leanne Wood said said it was time for Wales to end its "dependence": " We have an opportunity to build an alternative to the failed economic model that serves the City of London while leaving crumbs for communities in Wales. In the face of growing intolerance and hate, our movement must offer hope. We know our country can do better.'
Anna Arqué i Solsona, spokesperson for the International Commission of European Citizens (ICEC), said: 'Movements like ours believe democracy is the best path to full self-determination, even when it clashes with the interests of the states we're trapped within. That's why solidarity among our nations is vital.'
Tessa Marshall from the Wales Green Party said Wales could not afford "to stay shackled to the British state". She cited child poverty in Wales as being the result as what she said was decades of underinvestment and decisions made far away. "An independent Wales can stand for children, end hunger and cold homes, and fund a decent start to life," said Ms Marshall.
The Barry march comes soon after a Redfield & Wilton poll commissioned by YesCymru, which showed that 41% of decided voters would vote for independence – rising to a staggering 72% among 25 to 34-year-olds.
After the march, local Cllr Mark Hooper said: 'This march and rally in Barry shows the ambition of the independence movement. Whilst others in politics fight for the lowest possible denominator, the Welsh indy movement is vibrant, hopeful and above all, youthful. Demographics are in our corner – but we must move faster.'
YesCymru Chair Phyl Griffiths said: 'What we've seen today in Barry is a reflection of the mood across Wales – people are ready for change, and independence is no longer a fringe idea. It's a serious, hopeful response to a broken system.
"We're seeing growing support, especially among younger generations who've had enough of being told Wales is too small or too poor. We know better – and today, thousands of people showed that we're ready to take our future into our own hands.'
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