[lg policy] I won ’t pay shops I vandalised says Welsh language protestor

[Harold Schiffman]

I won’t pay shops I vandalised says Welsh language protestor

Nov 7 2009 <http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/2009/11/07/> by
Hywel Trewyn, Daily Post
[image: Osian Jones]

Osian Jones

A WELSH language protester vowed he won’t give a penny compensation to two
superstores after he painted them with slogans.

Osian Jones, North Wales organiser for Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg (Welsh
Language Society) yesterday expected to be sentenced to 28 days in prison
for refusing to pay fines and costs of £1,120 including compensation of £135
each to Boots and Superdrug.

 Jones, 32, of Rhedyw Road, Llanllyfni, had painted “Ble Mae’r Gymraeg?”
(Where is the Welsh?) on stores in Llangefni, Bangor and Caernarfon in June
as part of a campaign for a comprehensive language act to include the
private sector.

 Cymdeithas had targeted Superdrug for not acknowledging letters asking them
to implement bilingual signs and policies in their stores in Wales and
against Boots for only offering “tokenism” to Welsh communities.

 Jones was arrested in Stryd Llyn (Pool Street), Caernarfon at about 8am on
June 9.

 He’d refused to plead to charges of criminal damage and a not guilty plea
was entered on his behalf in a trial conducted in Welsh.

 A previous hearing in August was adjourned to give him more time to pay.

 Yesterday Jones told magistrates at Pwllheli that he was employed by
Cymdeithas but refused to fill in a means form and earning details.

 Addressing the court, he said: “Cymdeithas yr Iaith will not be paying one
penny. This is a matter of moral principle.”

 Mr Jones said Welsh people were being “trodden by commercial companies in
the free market. Welsh people and the language deserve better.”

 On behalf of Jones, barrister Robyn Lewis likened his action on behalf of
language rights to those of black people in the US, trade unions in the
nineteenth century and women winning the vote in this century.

 After a short adjournment, bench chairman Katherine Griffith-Ellis said:
“What we have decided is to adjourn the case until November 25 to make more
inquiries with the employer.”

 Around 20 supporters, family and friends then occupied the court for 30
minutes in a peaceful protest against the decision while another 50 sang
protest songs in the rain outside.

 Cymdeithas chairman Menna Machreth said: “It’s very cruel that the
magistrates have adjourned the case for another fortnight, although they had
already decided on the prison sentence.

“Their excuse is that they want to contact Osian’s employers but we
Cymdeithas yr Iaith are his employers, and of course we will not be taking
any fines from his wages.

“We’ll all be back in Caernarfon in a fortnight.”

 A Boots spokeswoman said: “Boots UK launched a Welsh Language Policy in
conjunction with the Welsh Language Board at the National Eisteddfod in
August 2009 in Bala. We understand the needs of our customers and this new
policy demonstrates our commitment to this matter.

“As this case has not reached its conclusion we are unable to comment.”
 There was no comment from Superdrug before the Daily Post went to press
last night.

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/2009/11/07/i-won-t-pay-shops-i-vandalised-says-welsh-language-protestor-55578-25111004/
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