A huge crowd marched through Aberystwyth on Saturday calling for Welsh independence. First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth was among the speakers at the rally.
March for Independence in mid-Wales
Banners calling for a referendum in 2032 were held aloft by campaigners in what was described by organisers as the first "March for Independence" to be held in mid-Wales. Following the march through the seaside town, there were speeches and live music at Castle Gardens.
The First Minister spoke about the Senedd's recent backing of the principle that the people of Wales should determine its constitutional future. He said: "Quite simply, we believe in our potential as an independent nation, and we recognise that bringing Wales with us is key."
First Minister's remarks
Mr ap Iorwerth went on: "We are on a journey and there's no turning back. The next step must be equality with Scotland as a minimum."
"We are standing up for Wales, pursuing the investment and greater powers we need from Westminster now, so we can make a real difference to people's lives as the next step in our constitutional journey."
11th march since 2019
It is the 11th time since 2019 that a "March for Independence" has been organised by pro-independence groups YesCymru and All Under One Banner Cymru. Others have taken place in Cardiff, Caernarfon, Merthyr Tydfil, Wrexham, Swansea, Bangor, Carmarthen, Barry and Rhyl.
Recent polling by Survation for YesCymru found 32% of likely voters would vote for independence if a referendum were held tomorrow. Support for independence was at 59% among likely voters aged 18 to 24, at 54% among those aged 25 to 34, and at 57% among those aged 35 to 44.
Campaign for 2032 referendum
Last month YesCymru launched a campaign calling for an independence referendum by 2032. Its chairman Rob Hughes said: "Having the First Minister address the March for Independence is an important moment, but this movement has always been about far more than any one politician or political party. Change has to be built from the ground up in communities across Wales."
He added: "There is a growing national conversation about what comes next for Wales. Our task is to keep independence at the heart of that conversation, build majority support and secure an independence referendum by 2032."
Aberystwyth-based Siôn Jobbins, of Radio YesCymru, hosted the rally and there was live music from Dros Dro and Connemara.
Earlier this month the leaders of Plaid Cymru, the Scottish National Party and Sinn Féin signed the Cardiff Memorandum affirming the right of Wales, Scotland and Ireland to determine their own futures.
