Latest news with #YesCymru
The National
22-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Wales to host major European conference on independence
The 2025 International Commission for European Citizens (ICEC) conference will be held in Cardiff on July 5 at the Old Library in the heart of the Welsh capital. Hosted by YesCymru on behalf of Wales, this international gathering will bring together representatives from seven stateless nations: Wales, Scotland, Catalunya, the Basque Country, Flanders, Sud Tirol, and Veneto. The aim of the conference is to forge closer working relationships between the seven participating nations, including fostering shared strategies, knowledge exchange and solidarity in their respective campaigns for independence. READ MORE: 20 Scottish mums start hunger strike in protest over Israel's Gaza genocide The event will feature speakers, panel discussions, and cultural showcases, offering a platform to highlight each nation's aspirations and challenges. Phyl Griffiths, a spokesperson for ICEC, said: 'We are honoured to host the ICEC conference here in Wales, this is more than a conference — it is a celebration of democracy, identity, and the shared pursuit of a better future for our nations.' Geraint Thomas, Wales representative for ICEC, added: 'Organising a transnational conference like this is a powerful opportunity to strengthen ties between our nations. "By coming together, we share not only our challenges but also our strategies, ideas, and hope for the future. This collaboration lays the foundation for a new era of cooperation among Europe's stateless nations — one rooted in mutual respect, solidarity, and a shared vision of democratic self-determination.' More details, including the day's agenda and speaker announcements, will be shared in the coming weeks.
South Wales Argus
27-04-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Barry: Thousands march through town for Welsh independence
The March for Independence was organised by YesCymru and AUOBCymru and was described as a "powerful show of unity and hope for a better future". This event is part of a growing movement, with thousands having participated in similar marches across Wales, including in Caernarfon, Merthyr, Wrexham, Bangor, Swansea, Carmarthen, and Cardiff since 2019. Barry, Wales' largest town with a significant political legacy, made its mark on this journey towards independence. The march was followed by a rally in King Square, featuring speeches from 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. Local councillor Mark Hooper acted as the MC, and the event also included live music from Emma Winter, known from the Welsh version of The Voice, Y Llais. All speakers and performers, except the MC, were women, a first for a March for Independence. Kiera Marshall, a 27-year-old activist from Swansea, said: "How can we afford not to be independent? "The UK system keeps us poor, while our children go hungry and cold." Leanne Wood said: "It's time to end our 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." The Barry march follows a Redfield & Wilton poll commissioned by YesCymru, which revealed that 41 per cent of decided voters would vote for independence. This figure rises to 72 per cent among 25 to 34-year-olds. 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."
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Thousands attend Welsh independence march
Thousands of people have attended a march to call for an independent Wales. The event, organised by Yes Cymru and All Under One Banner Cymru, was held in Barry on Saturday. South Wales Police estimated that between 6,000-7,000 people attended the march. Phyl Griffiths, YesCymru chair, said the event was a "reflection of the mood across Wales". Since 2019, thousands have taken part in independence marches across Wales - including in Cardiff, Carmarthen, Bangor, Swansea, Wrexham and Merthyr Tydfil. Following the march, a rally in King Square featured speeches, which included former Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood and Wales Green Party spokesperson Tessa Marshall. The event included live music from Emma Winter, known from Y Llais, the Welsh version of The Voice. Ms Wood said it was "time to end our dependence", adding there was an "opportunity to build an alternative to the failed economic model that serves the City of London while leaving crumbs for communities in Wales". Mr Griffiths said: "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. Kiera Marshall, 27, travelled from Swansea to join the parade. "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." Rhun ap Iorwerth MS, Plaid Cymru leader joined the march and said recent independence polls were moving in a "positive direction". "As disillusionment with Westminster grows in Welsh communities, we are also seeing a growing confidence that Wales should have the right and resources to decide its own future," he said. Thousands join march for an independent Wales Independence for Wales is viable, says report YesCymru best performing group - axed chief
Wales Online
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Wales Online
'We are the generation who will change it': Thousands march calling for Welsh independence
These were the scenes as more than 6,000 people marched through the streets of Barry today calling for Welsh independence. Supporters came from across Wales, some with their children, to join the the March for Independence, organised by YesCymru and AUOBCymru. 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.'
BBC News
26-04-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Barry: Thousands attend Welsh independence march
Thousands of people have attended a march to call for an independent Wales. The event, organised by Yes Cymru and All Under One Banner Cymru, was held in Barry on Saturday. South Wales Police estimated that between 6,000-7,000 people attended the march. Phyl Griffiths, YesCymru chair, said the event was a "reflection of the mood across Wales". Since 2019, thousands have taken part in independence marches across Wales - including in Cardiff, Carmarthen, Bangor, Swansea, Wrexham and Merthyr Tydfil. Following the march, a rally in King Square featured speeches, which included former Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood and Wales Green Party spokesperson Tessa Marshall. The event included live music from Emma Winter, known from Y Llais, the Welsh version of The Wood said it was "time to end our dependence", adding there was an "opportunity to build an alternative to the failed economic model that serves the City of London while leaving crumbs for communities in Wales".Mr Griffiths said: "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 Marshall, 27, travelled from Swansea to join the parade."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."Rhun ap Iorwerth MS, Plaid Cymru leader joined the march and said recent independence polls were moving in a "positive direction". "As disillusionment with Westminster grows in Welsh communities, we are also seeing a growing confidence that Wales should have the right and resources to decide its own future," he said.
