Thousands attend “march for Welsh independence” in Wrexham town centre

Thousands of people marched through Wrexham town centre this lunchtime as part of the All Under One Banner ‘March for Independence’ event.

AUOBCymru describe themselves as a voluntary grassroots movement which organises marches calling for independence for Wales, noting they are “not affiliated with any other group or political party”, but “work closely with groups and individuals who share its core beliefs and goals”.

The event had been delayed due to the pandemic, and was the first in Wales since a march in Caernarfon in 2019.

The march left Llwyn Isaf just after midday, and due to the numbers involved had to pause on Hope Street to allow everyone to form up.

The route completed a loop down High Street, Tuttle Street, down the side of St Giles way with a return up Town Hill to head back to town towards Llwyn Isaf.

Llwyn Isaf filled up quickly as the march returned to the field.

As is usual with such events it is hard to be precise on attendances, with organisers AUOB giving out a figure:

Rhif swyddogol yr heddlu ydy 6-8,000 yn gorymdeithio dros #Annibyniaeth yn Wrecsam!

Official police number for the March for Independence in Wrexham is 6-8,000! #AUOBWrecsam pic.twitter.com/jXkcswkcbN

— AUOBCymru (@AUOBCymru) July 2, 2022

A National Wales journalist on the ground opted for a figure around 2,000

Sorry, but the attendance figures for independence march in Wrecsam were nowhere near 5k, never mind 8k. Around 2k is what I’d say

— Huw Marshall 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 (@HuwMar) July 2, 2022

The march ended at Llwyn Isaf where a stage and big screen broadcast various speeches and performances to the crowd. Speakers included Dafydd Iwan, and comedian and broadcaster Tudur Owen – along with Evrah Rose, Marc Jones and Carrie Harper.

Dafydd Iwan said: “A new spirit is spreading throughout Wales, and the feeling is growing that we can do better for the people of Wales if we do it ourselves. That is the true meaning of Independence, not a separation, but joining all the other nations who govern themselves. Wales is beginning to believe in itself, and nothing can hold back a nation which has self-belief.”

Tudur Owen said, “The case for independence has been made. We now need the consent of the people of Wales and that is our next challenge.”

Mary Lou McDonald, President of Sinn Féin, had also sent a video message that was played on the large video screen – with smaller crowds on Queen’s Square also viewing a via a separate screen, she said “I wish you every success with your march today… you will always have friends here in Ireland. Above all, I wish you a future that matches the hopes and aspirations of the Welsh people.”

Queen’s Square also hosted an “Indy Market” with a range of stalls offering local food, drink and produce, and Indy Wales merchandise.

Local resident and one of the organisers of the March for Independence, Kieran Thomas, said: “We were so disappointed when Covid put paid to our plans 2 year ago, but we are over the moon that people believe so strongly in the cause that they have traveled from all over Wales to get here today. People want a better Wales and can see that the dysfunctional British state is not going to provide it. This march has been a big economic boost for Wrexham and months of hard work has paid off.”

AUOB say the next “March for Independence” will be held in Cardiff on October 1st.