Language campaigners to create ‘human dam’ to protest housing crisis

Language campaigners are going to form a “human dam” across the Tryweryn dam, as a symbol of their determination to prevent the collapse of Welsh communities.

Cymdeithas yr Iaith supporters will go to the site near Bala at 1pm on Saturday July 10, to urge the Welsh Government to tackle the housing crisis that is pricing out locals from buying homes.

The crowd will be addressed by folk singer Dafydd Iwan, Plaid Cymru MS Delyth Jewell, former Senedd candidate for Labour, Cian Ireland, and Branwen Nicolas, who was imprisoned for twelve months 30 years ago for her part in Cymdeithas’ campaign for a Property Act.

Supporters will sign a statement calling on the Welsh Government to “take urgent and radical action to ensure that local communities can control the housing market and planning process in order to secure homes for their people.”

‘Torn apart’

Cymdeithas yr Iaith’ spokesperson Osian Jones, said: “We can’t wait yet more decades for the Government to take decisive action: our communities are being torn apart as young people are forced to move because such a large proportion of the houses are bought at inflated prices by richer people, often using them as holiday houses or second homes; without strong communities, the future of the Welsh language looks bleak.

“Tomorrow (Friday, 21 May), we will start to count down 50 days to the date of the rally by announcing every day names of prominent people who will be coming to the rally to sign the call on the new Government.

“Mark Drakeford has already pledged to take action to prevent the injustice, and Cymdeithas yr Iaith will be campaigning to ensure that a series of radical steps are taken to tackle the situation, as opposed to token gestures. Our communities can’t wait any longer.”