AUOBCymru has announced that their Welsh independence march will go ahead in Wrexham despite the county council trying to ban the event. On Monday Plaid Cymru county councillor Carrie Harper described the situation as "ridiculous" and said the event was their "basic democratic right".
A march for Welsh independence is set to take place in Wrexham on Saturday, July 2. This will be the fourth march hosted by AUOBCymru, which stands for 'All Under One Banner', alongside Indy Fest Wrecsam and YesCymru.
It will be the first march to take place following the coronavirus pandemic. Previous marches for independence have been held in Cardiff, Caernarfon, and Merthyr Tydfil in 2019.
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However it has been claimed Wrexham County Borough Council argued the event should not go ahead as it would not allow events that "promote either an individual or an organisation". In a video shared on a post on Twitter Cllr Harper shared her dismay about the council's actions but encouraged people to come to the march on Saturday.
She said: "So Wrexham Council and their 'wisdom' have decided to try and ban the independents' events that is happening here on Llwyn Isaf on Saturday. It's a really ridiculous situation – they can't ban it because it is our right to gather, right for the freedom of expression, it is set out in human rights legislation.
"We've got a legal right to hold this event. And there is a bit of an irony when you look at the protocol they've put in as well. They say they are not allowing political events but they'll also say they won't allow events that promote either an individual or an organisation but literally just in the last few weeks they've had events in these spaces for the jubilee and for Armed Forces Day.
"Now, I'm pretty sure the Queen's an individual and I'm pretty sure that the armed forces is an organisation. So it's completely ridiculous and this council is run by Tory and independents so maybe that explains quite a lot in terms of what is going on here.
"But it is going to be a fantastic event with a great line of speakers, Dafydd Iwan singing – he'll be here doing Yma o Hyd he did with the Welsh FA and Gareth Bale, we absolutely love that. But Wrexham Council seems to have a problem with it.
"It's absolutely ridiculous, isn't it? They need to get a grip. And as you can see this is where we are meeting, this is Llwyn Isaf. It is empty at the moment but let's pack this place out on Saturday.
"If you are coming anyway make sure you are bringing someone with you – we are marching for the right of an independent Wales but also for our basic democratic rights to express our views, which we are perfectly entitled to do. Really looking forward to it – see you on Saturday."
In response, a spokesperson for Wrexham County Borough Council said: "We have reviewed the application to use Llwyn Isaf on Saturday, 2 July. In line with our policy and usual approach, we would not usually agree the booking of Llwyn Isaf for marches and rallies.
"However, we recognise the rights of freedom of expression and freedom of assembly and in the circumstances we will not be taking any action to prevent the use of Llwyn Isaf on Saturday."
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