Welsh Activist

A Welsh-language campaigner has been jailed for a month following a direct action campaign against major high-street stores' lack of bilingual language services.

In April 2008, Osian Jones from Dyffryn Nantlle protested against big retailers in north Wales, including Boots and Superdrug, over their lack of basic services for customers in Welsh.

Mr Jones was fined around £1,000 for a campaign of graffiti and sticker posting at branches of the high-street chemists but had refused to pay.

At a hearing in Caernarfon magistrates' court on Wednesday, Mr Jones was sentenced for non-payment.

The action was part of the Welsh Language Society's campaign for a new language Act to covering these retailers, in order for the language to be promoted and normalised in everyday life.

Speaking before his sentence, Mr Jones said: "The companies we use day to day don't do enough to reflect the nature of Welsh communities with high numbers of people who speak Welsh as a first language.

"Hopefully my imprisonment will make other people realise how bad these companies really are and how little respect they show to Wales. After all, all we want is for these companies to let the Welsh language live and thrive."

Speaking after the verdict, Welsh Language Society chairwoman Menna Machreth Jones said: "Osian took this step because the people of Wales don't have the right to see and use the Welsh language.

"It's very sad that we're got a system which puts the profits of large multinational companies ahead of the right for everyone in Wales to enjoy the Welsh language.

"These companies who show extreme disregard for Welsh do not deserve compensation."

By Paddy McGuffin

(First published in the Morning Star 25.11.09)

Copenhagen Conference.

Hello, and thanks for reading!

Is it just me or does this Copenhagen Conference seem a bit pointless?
I mean world leaders gathering from all corners across world to discuss how to combat global warming. Are we really that arrogant that we think we change something we have no power over what-so-ever?

I'm all for using alternative means of producing energy, because, well we're running out of fossil fuels.

You know it's such a good thing, all the world's leaders coming together in their private jets.
Correct me if i'm wrong but arn't planes one of the biggest polluters?Ahh the hypocrisy.

Why couldn't the world leaders think of another way to debate, oh i don't know like, say for example a live chat over the internet with webcams? Surely that would be a better idea.