A rally calling for Welsh independence was attended by thousands of people in Wrexham.
Organisers stated that it was an opportunity for people to express their desire to “go in another direction”.
Wrexham council was initially against the march on Llwyn Isaf in front of its Guildhall offices. This caused controversy.
It said that officials would not prevent the march from moving forward.
This event was led by AUOB (All Under One Banner), Yes Cymru, and Indy Fest Wrexham. It is the first since the pandemic.
AUOB claims that between 6,000-8,000 people attended the march. However, other reports claim it was closer at 3,000.
North Wales Police was asked to comment about attendance.
One of the organizers of the event was Councillor Carrie Harper. She said that people are more interested in the constitutional conversation, especially with a second referendum in Scotland and broad support for a united Ireland.
She said, “We must have this discussion about what kind of nation we want.”
“The time has come and Wrexham will be the place to have that conversation.”
Wrexham was the seventh city in Wales to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
At the march, supporters claimed that the pandemic had sparked interest in Wales independence as a reaction to “what’s happening at Westminster”.
Although there was a positive vibe at the march it has been difficult for the movement to overcome its problems in recent months.
Supporters and organizers acknowledged that the pandemic had impacted the momentum behind marching across Wales. Therefore, the Wrexham event was postponed for 2020.
According to some reports, the Yes Cymru Movement gained more members during the pandemic. It has also been at center of an internal power struggle.
A special meeting of Yes Cymru took place in December to create a new committee.
Reports have also indicated that supporters were withdrawing their membership due to internal conflicts regarding the direction of the movement. Some even noted that the number of members had increased from 17,000 last year to 8,000.
Supporters said that the march was an opportunity to come together and support the movement, despite differences as it began in Wrexham.
Campaigners marched through Wrexham from Llwyn Isaf to the beat of drums to Dafydd Iwan’s song, Yma O Hyd.
Ela and David, their father and daughter, and Beti, the dog, agreed that joining the march was a significant step for them.
David stated, “I believe it’s important to begin the conversation again now and seeing how things are falling in Westminster, I am here to march and to talk to people.”
Ela stated that the momentum was still there. Although we’re from Denbigh, it’s a small area and Ela is a young woman. I believe that coming here will allow me to make my voice heard.
Other people had traveled further afield, such as Paul Morris from Swansea and his friend from Brecon.
Paul said, “We’re here give some weight independence like we do the south.”
It’s a growing movement, I believe. It’s something that everyone is aware of.
Ieuan Evans from Nefyn in Gwynedd said that they were here to support Wales to make sure we have a place in the world.
Adam Price, Plaid Cymru leader, has claimed that Wales could be on a “path” towards independence if Scotland is able to hold one without Westminster’s permission.
First Minister Mark Drakeford stated that a pro-independence party must win the majority of votes.
The Welsh Conservatives claimed independence was “convincingly defeated” at the ballot box at the last Senedd elections, when Plaid Cymru came in third. Meanwhile, the Lib Dems warned that leaving the UK would “hurt those most vulnerable in Welsh society the worst”.
