Osian attended a similar hearing a fortnight ago in Pwllheli, expecting to start his sentence then, but proceedings were adjourned as magistrates feared uproar in the packed court. When the members of the bench left the room a sit-in and “peoples’ court” were held at which the government and crown were found guilty of ignoring the rights of the people of Wales. Friday’s hearing has been moved to a brand new high-security court building at Caernarfon.

Over the past 40 years non-violent law breaking protests - resulting in hundreds of language campaigners appearing in court and dozens imprisoned - have succeeded in winning several changes of legislation and the establishment of a Welsh language TV channel.

Cymdeithas yr Iaith are Britain's largest and longest running civil disobedience group since the Suffragettes.

The status of Welsh has risen, from being a language with no legal status, to being prominent on road signs and with government departments and public bodies providing bi-lingual services. But many are unhappy that there are no rights to use Welsh with big businesses, mobile phone companies and privitised utilities.

Recently authorities have done their best to avoid imprisoning language protesters and to prevent them from using the courts as a platform. Fines are usually automatically deducted from wages but as an employee of the pressure group Osian Jones has successfully avoided all orders to make payments.

The charges against Osian follow a slogan painting and sticker campaign on the windows of a number of well known chain stores who make only token use of Welsh.

Cymdeithas members last week dressed as Boots staff and distributed “Dis-advantage Cards” to shoppers in one north Wales town.

Two years ago the Cymdeithas presented a 10,000 name petition calling for more rights and Welsh Government has promised a change in legislation but appears to be nervous to take further steps in the face of considerable opposition from bosses’ organisation the CBI.



Cymdeithas yr Iaith:  http://cymdeithas.org/english/
Wikipedia:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cymdeithas_yr_Iaith_Gymraeg
Photos of demos etc..  http://www.flickr.com/photos/51447658@N00/