WELSH language campaigners called on the new Plaid Cymru government at the weekend to “turn the tide in favour of the language and our communities” at a Cymdeithas yr Iaith rally.

Welsh Minister for Education and the Welsh Language Anna Brychan sent a message acknowledging that “the Welsh language has never progressed through goodwill alone. It has moved forward because people have demanded change, held institutions to account, and refused to accept the status quo.”

She praised Cymdeithas yr Iaith, a language-rights direct action group, for the “sacrifices of time, energy — and freedom — that has helped secure a future for our language.”

Over decades more than 1,000 Cymdeithas activists have been hauled before courts and some jailed for protests including blocking roads and tearing down English-only signs.

Cymdeithas yr Iaith chair Owain Meirion said: “We call on the Welsh government to turn the tide that is leading to the decline of our Welsh-speaking communities by introducing a Property Act to establish the right to a home and create a local housing market, providing a strong legal foundation to secure homes and employment for people in these communities.”

His colleague Sian Howys said: “With Plaid Cymru’s success in the Senedd elections, now is the opportunity to redouble efforts to turn the tide for real.

“Establishing the right to a home, delivering the target in the Welsh Language and Education Act of 50 per cent of children in Welsh-medium education by 2050, extending Welsh language rights into the private sector… challenging Westminster every step of the way as it continues to treat Wales as inferior.”