PROTESTERS calling for a new Welsh Language Act targeted some 30 North Wales business in a sticker campaign. Members of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg (Welsh Language Society) struck in Flint on Friday. Last night, organisers threatened to target towns across Wales in the run-up to Christmas. Stickers bearing slogans such as Deddf Iaith Newydd (New Language Act) and Ble mae'r Gymraeg? (Where's the Welsh?) were plastered on windows in the town. Targets included the newly-opened Tesco and Co-op as well as estate agents Molyneux, betting shops Corbett and Ladbrokes and NatWest bank. One of the protesters said: "These businesses were targeted because their signage and leaflets are only in English." He said the HSBC bank was not targeted in the campaign because of its bi-lingual signage. The protester said: "Having just opened new stores, Tesco and the Co-op have not done anything to address the bilingual nature of Wales. "They are showing disregard to the present language act and it just proves that the Welsh Language Board's belief that private businesses show goodwill to the language is not true." He said the aim of the campaign was to highlight the fact the present act did not cover the private sector and companies were free to offer the majority of services in English only. Cymdeithas chairman Huw Lewis said: "Cymdeithas yr Iaith has decided to launch a period of direct action, in order to draw attention to the need for a new Welsh language act. "Time after time, we see that private companies and institutions refuse to offer the majority of services through the medium of Welsh. This will not change until we have a new Welsh language act." Mr Lewis added: "There is more than a decade since the present language act was passed. If we do not face the challenge, Welsh speakers will continuously lose opportunities to use the language as a part of their daily lives," he added. | 
