Thousands march for Welsh independence in Rhyl
More than 2,000 people marched through Rhyl today, as the north coast town hosted the tenth national March for Independence.
The event, jointly organised by YesCymru and All Under One Banner Cymru (AUOBCymru), saw campaigners, families and community groups from across Wales fill the seaside town with flags, banners and music.
The march began at Rhyl Events Arena before winding through the town centre and returning to the seafront for a rally featuring live performances and political speeches.
‘A clear message to Westminster’
Speaking for AUOBCymru, Geraint Thomas said: “Every march for independence sends a clear message to Westminster that the people of Wales are no longer willing to be ignored. From Cardiff to Caernarfon, from Barry to Rhyl – today shows once again that this movement is growing in confidence and determination.”
Local singer-songwriter Tara Bethan told the rally: “We have the ability and resources to stand tall as an independent nation – and today’s march proves that belief is alive and well across Wales.”
Scottish journalist and independence campaigner Lesley Riddoch described the atmosphere as “inspiring,” adding: “Scotland has long been seen as the leader of the pack among the Celtic nations, but Wales is catching up fast.”
Wind farms
Organisers said Rhyl was chosen as the location for the latest march to highlight frustration over Westminster’s refusal to devolve the Crown Estate to Wales, despite cross-party support in the Senedd. Offshore wind farms Rhyl Flats and Gwynt y Môr can be seen from the seafront.
Bleddyn Williams, a local organiser, said: “Rhyl was chosen for a reason. The offshore wind farms off our coast are owned by the Crown Estate, yet the profits flow to Westminster instead of benefiting the people of north Wales. It’s the latest example of why Wales cannot depend on Westminster to act in our best interests.”
Today’s rally was the tenth since the first march in Cardiff in 2019, with other events held in Caernarfon, Wrexham, Swansea, Bangor, Carmarthen and Barry – where over 6,000 people took part earlier this year.
Opinion poll
A recent poll by Redfield & Wilton Strategies for YesCymru found 41% of decided voters would back independence in a referendum, one of the strongest results to date.
YesCymru chair Phyl Griffiths said: “What we’ve seen in Rhyl today is a Wales that believes in itself. This movement is about democracy, fairness and hope – and it’s growing stronger with every march.”
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Was Plaid there?
Llyr Gruffydd was one of the speakers, imagine Plaid understandably had a lot of people out in Caerffili instead though.
2,000 is a big drop from the attendances at the Wrexham, Bangor and Caernarfon rallies.
Got to wonder why it’s so late in the year and whether that’s a factor. Still, fair play to those who turned out.
There’s never a wrong time of the Year to hold an Indy March agreed attendance was on the low side compared to other rallies but still bravo to those who turned out.
2,000 people… just 2,000. The numbers are shockingly low.
I thought 2000 was a fantastic success. I think Gwlad should also ne campaigning for Lloeger to have a referendum on independence because it is gathering popularity there to.
Meanwhile the far right racist Anti Nation of Sanctuary march had about 7 angry middle aged men attending
Talking of which 2 angry middle aged men held up the game between Salford v Oldham displaying anti Gary Neville Messages.
This just shows how correct Gary Neville was about these Muppets.
It was fantastic. Can’t wait for the next one.🏴
The appetite for independence in Wales is stronger than ever. With focus and ambition, there’s no reason we can’t see crowds of 100,000 standing proudly for Cymru’s future. Let’s think big, and act bold.
Yes Cymru and its supporters appear a bit thin on the ground on https://bsky.social/about compared to the Scottish independence supporters who have far better impact with facts and figures, something that the Welsh independence movement needs, lots of facts and figures