YesCymru activist suspended in row
YESCYMRU, the cross-party group that campaigns for Welsh independence, is in turmoil following a decision to suspend from its central committee an activist who bought the iconic “Cofiwch Dryweryn” memorial wall for the nation.
The Cofiwch Dryweryn (Remember Tryweryn) wall was painted in the 1960s after Capel Celyn, Gwynedd, was drowned to create a reservoir for Liverpool. The valley in which the drowned village was situated was known as Tryweryn.
In 2019 the graffiti was painted over twice, the first time with the word “Elvis”.
Dr Dilys Davies, a clinical psychologist, decided to buy the wall and put its upkeep in the hands of a charity.
She is now under investigation for alleged transphobia and homophobia after barring another activist, Aled Gwyn Williams, from land she owns in Ceredigion that has replicas of the Cofiwch Dreweryn wall.
The dispute has been played out on social media and threatens to create a split in YesCymru, which currently has around 18,500 members.
In 2019 Dr Davies came in for a lot of criticism on Twitter after tweeting support for the feminist writer Germaine Greer, who herself has been accused of transphobia.
One of Dr Davies’ leading critics on Twitter at the time was Aled Gwyn Williams.
Last month Mr Williams, who lives in Maesteg, visited Ceredigion and posted pictures of himself and his dog at two properties owned by Dr Davies.
Dr Davies tweeted: “Please inform Aled and his hate-filled little band that he is banned from both premises. Also from our car park that has clear signage that it is private and from where he took a photo. Croeso Mawr [a big welcome] to everyone else obvs. We have standards.” A letter of complaint about Dr Davies was sent to YesCymru in which the complainant alleged she engaged in “transphobic and aggressive conduct” on Twitter towards LGBTQ+ people.
It said: “The most recent screen shot is of Dr Davies, with no provocation, replying to a picture of Aled Williams, a gay man, standing by the Cofiwch Dryweryn wall [in fact it was a copies of the wall slogan on Dr Davies’ property] saying that he and his hate-filled band are banned from the property . ...
“Now that Yes Cymru have a diversity officer, I really hope this isn’t dismissed again and that you are now able to deal with these issues.”
Referring to the complaint, Mr Williams stated on Twitter:
“I just told her to f*** off, but this is probably more productive.”
In a response to the complainant, YesCymru stated: “The YesCymru central committee met last night to discuss your complaint.
“YesCymru is an organisation which embraces the fact that all who choose to make Wales their home – regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation – are full citizens of the new Wales we wish to build. This is a central part of our constitution, adopted by members at our last AGM, and as such we take very seriously any accusation of discriminatory behaviour.
“It was decided to suspend the member who was the subject of your complaint from the committee pending an investigation according to our complaints process. This year YesCymru
hired a diversity and inclusion officer who will be advising on the matter. We hope to finalise the outcome of the investigation within 14 days and we will get back to you.
“During the investigation we will not be able to make any further comments on the matter.”
A supporter of YesCymru, who did not wish to be named, said: “This is a huge diversion that the movement could do without. It’s creating division at a time when the Senedd is under attack from Westminster and we need unity.”
YesCymru chairman Sion Jobbins said he was unable to comment.