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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."
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.'
The National
26-04-2025
- Politics
- The National
Thousands of people turn out to Welsh independence march
More than 6000 people marched through the streets of Barry on Saturday calling for Welsh independence. The March for Independence, organised by groups YesCymru and AUOBCymru, brought people together from across Wales, as organisers said they hope it serves as "a powerful show of unity and hope for a better future". (Image: YesCymru) After the march, people gathered for a rally where speeches were given by an all-woman line up. Speakers included former Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood, Catalan campaigner Anna Arque and Wales Green Party spokesperson Tessa Marshall. 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. 'In the face of growing intolerance and hate, our movement must offer hope. We know our country can do better.' READ MORE: Scottish Labour forced to apologise as by-election candidate gets pope's name wrong Arque, who is also a spokesperson for the International Commission of European Citizens, 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.' Marshall said: 'We can't afford to stay shackled to the British state. Child poverty in Wales is not the result of bad choices – it's decades of underinvestment and decisions made far from communities like ours. 'An independent Wales can stand for children, end hunger and cold homes, and fund a decent start to life.' The march comes after a poll earlier this month put support for Welsh independence at a staggering 41%. The Redfield & Wilson poll, commissioned by YesCymru, also found that support for independence rose to 72% among 25 to 34-year-olds. READ MORE: EHRC guidance on single-sex spaces branded 'harsh, authoritarian and cruel' by Greens The poll questioned 1000 adults aged 18+ in Wales between March 24 and 27. 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.'
