Welsh dragon’s roar is heard as thousands take to streets for independence
THE people of Wales are being urged to continue the growing conversation about Welsh independence.
Author and poet Catrin Dafydd said: “I dare you all to have conversations across Wales... talk about our nation and the things we are able to do for ourselves.
And Wales and Everton football legend Neville Southall declared: “This is the greatest country in the world, but it’s no good having a dragon if the dragon cannot roar.”
There’s been plenty of reaction to the latest march for an independent Wales which took place in Merthyr Tydfil on Saturday.
The organisers expressed their delight at the success of the march and rally.
This was the third march organised by independence campaign group All Under One Banner (AUOB) Cymru.
Organisers confirmed that more than 5,000 people turned up for the event. Previous marches in Cardiff and Caernarfon, in May and July, are thought to have attracted 3,000 and 10,000 participants, respectively.
Demonstrators gathered at Penderyn Square on Saturday morning, before setting off on a 1.2-mile march around the town.
Speakers at the event included former international goalkeeper Southall and sports commentator and former Wales rugby international Eddie Butler.
Poet and playwright Patrick Jones and singers Kizzy and Eädyth Crawford also addressed the crowd.
Southall said: “At the moment we cannot roar because we don’t have any money. We need to build a country that looks after the lowest of the low. We need to take everybody and treat them the same. There should be no class system in Wales.”
The organiser of the Merthyr march, Phyl Griffiths, who is from the town’s Troedyrhiw area, said he was delighted with the way the march and rally went.
“It was wonderful,” said the chair of Yes Merthyr. “It felt amazing to be asked to host the third national march for independence.
“The feeling from Yes Cymru and All Under One Banner, who organise these marches, is that the Valleys are absolutely crucial to the discussion of an independent Wales.
“We had marchers from Rhondda, Cynon and the Gwent Valleys and the Caerphilly area. And I spoke to one man at the march who was going to set up a branch in Blackwood.”
AUOB Cymru spokesman Llywelyn ap Gwilym said: “The marches... have been excellent. They’ve drawn in large numbers of people, have created a buzz on social media and on TV and in print, and have really helped further the cause of independence for our country.
“With the anti-democratic mess that is currently happening in Westminster, it is more important than ever for Wales to make its voice heard, and for the people of Wales to realise that there is a viable alternative – independence.”
Poet Catrin Dafydd asked the crowd: “What can you do? I dare you all to have conversations across Wales. When you head back on the train, if you can get to them, or in the pub. Talk about our nation and the things we are able to do for ourselves.”
Ahead of the march, a large crowd flying Welsh flags and Yes Cymru banners, had formed in front of the Redhouse in Merthyr.
Trains to Merthyr from Cardiff were so full they were having to leave platforms full of passengers behind.
Former rugby international Eddie Butler said: “This today is not entirely political – not yet. We are here simply to be together on the road that may be long but there is a political question to ask.
“Out of Westminster nothing good will come for Wales. But nothing is good. Nothing is a blank canvas.
“Every nation that cast itself free from a neighbour, however mighty, has started with a blank canvas.”