Next independence march postponed due to coronavirus

The next march for Welsh independence, which was due to take place in Wrexham in April, has been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

All Under One Banner Cymru said that they had taken an early decision to move the march on Saturday 18 April 2020 to another date in order to give all those planning to attend as much warning as possible.

They said that social distancing, which is recognised as a key measure in delaying the spread of the virus and reducing pressure on our Welsh NHS and other emergency services, meant that the march couldn’t go ahead.

It was due to be the fourth march for Welsh independence after marches in Cardiff, Caernarfon and Merthyr Tydfil attracted 3,000, 10,000 and 8,000 people.

AUOBCymru spokesperson Llywelyn ap Gwilym said, “After much consideration it is with heavy heart that we have decided to postpone AUOBWrecsam, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“We sympathise with everyone who has already made plans, and with the local organising group who have put in so much hard work over the past few months, but the health and wellbeing of all of our supporters, of other stakeholders, and more broadly of the entire Welsh public, is of primary concern.

“We take our responsibilities to the people of Wales very seriously: postponing is the best way that we can support the people of Wales, our NHS, and our other emergency services. We will be monitoring the situation closely, and will look to rearrange the march as soon as is appropriate.

“Wrexham isn’t going away, and neither is the demand for Welsh independence – we will be up in the north-east as soon as we can be!”

‘Wellbeing’

There is as yet no decision about whether future marches in Tredegar on 6 June and Swansea on 5 September will go ahead.

Head steward, and one of the local march organisers, Adam Balchder said: “It’s a real shame, we were expecting a lot of people to come, but we need to put people health first.

“The committee has decided to postpone the march for everyone’s wellbeing. We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone to Wrexham later in the year.”

AUOBCymru intends to re-schedule the march and rally to another date.