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Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg, Cardiff 10.01.09

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• published: 10 Jan 2009
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Welsh Language Society protest, Cardiff "Following a year of campaigning against major companies in the private sector, Cymdeithas yr Iaith (The Welsh Language Society) held a Rally on the main retail street of Wales and our capital city, Cardiff, today to draw the attention of the Assembly Government to the need for all legislative powers regarding the Welsh language to be devolved from Whitehall to the Assembly in Cardiff. Bethan Williams, Chairperson of Cymdeithas' Welsh Language Act group said: "We have been campaigning relentlessly over the past twelve months, lobbying, letter writing, and taking direct action against the giants of the private sector, leading to many of our members receiving criminal records and heavy fines. Despite their sacrifices for linguistic justice, very little attempt has been made by these companies to resolve the linguistic disparities." During the rally, Cymdeithas yr Iaith members marched down Queen Street visiting the target companies of 2008, before presenting a letter to Alun Ffred Jones, the Minister with responsibility for the Welsh Language, at the Welsh Assembly building in Cathays Park. Amongst those speaking on behalf of Cymdeithas yr Iaith was singer and entertainer Caryl Parry Jones, actor Morgan Hopkins, Leader of Cymdeithas yr Iaith's campaign for a Welsh language Measure Bethan Williams and author and activist Catrin Dafydd, with a local dance group re-enacting the ancient Welsh new year tradition of the Fari Lwyd. As a part of the campaign for linguistic rights, Cymdeithas yr Iaith are calling for official status for the language, the creation of a language commissioner, and the right to use the Welsh language within all aspect of their lives. Bethan Williams concluded: "It is high time that the Welsh Assembly Government realise their responsibility in securing a comprehensive Legislative Competence Order that will allow legislation to ensure the linguistic dignity of the Welsh people. Without status, rights and a language commissioner within measures following the LCO, attempts to rectify the linguistic inequalities in Wales will fail." Rhys Llwyd, Vice-Chairman of Cymdeithas yr Iaith said following the rally: "We are very grateful to the people of Cardiff for the support given to our Rally in Cardiff today. More than a 300 Cymdeithas members, and scores of local people sent a clear message to the Assembly Government that we are serious in our demands for the rights to use the Welsh language in all aspects of our every day lives. Whilst marching down Queen Street, we passed the stores of multi-nationals such as Orange and Vodafone, and were reminded that any LCO transferring powers to Cardiff Bay must be extensive enough, to enable the Welsh Government to legislate to give the people of Wales the right to use the Welsh language in the public AND private sectors, because the private sector now dominates our daily lives." Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg website