Birmingham's anti-hate campaign group Brummies United Against Racism and Hate Crime has praised Birmingham City Council's legal action to stop flagging operations across the city, calling it a 'positive' move. The group said its members had been supporting the council's efforts to gather evidence of what it described as 'thuggish behaviour' by some individuals behind the nationalist movement, including alleged 'threats and intimidation'.
Council seeks injunction against flagging operations
The statement comes after it emerged that the city council, led by a coalition of Greens, Liberal Democrats and Better Birmingham Independents, had applied for an injunction to prevent flaggers from putting up 'unauthorised attachments' on lampposts around the city. Over the past year, thousands of Union and St George Cross flags have been erected in neighbourhoods and on prominent city routes.
In a statement, Brummies United Against Racism and Hate Crime said: "For months, community groups have met with council officers, the Police and Crime Commissioner and West Midlands Police, calling for action to stop the spread of divisive flags on public lamp posts and the painting of roundabouts."
The group added: "Evidence of threats and intimidation has been provided in support of calls for an injunction. Residents and community groups were deeply frustrated by the lack of meaningful action. Thousands signed our petition calling for the removal of divisive flags across our city. More than 120 local election candidates signed our pledge committing to stand against hate and division and take action on these issues."
Council action and named individuals
The campaign group said: "We are pleased Birmingham City Council has now taken action. We applaud the efforts of Coun Jane Baston, cabinet member for equalities communities and social justice, on collating the evidence provided by the community who have documented the abuse and harassment they have faced when opposing flagging in the city."
The council has stated its approach 'is not directed at any particular community, belief or viewpoint.' However, the injunction names a number of Raise The Colours members who are responsible for, or supportive of, flagging operations which the group says have been used to harass and intimidate residents. The group said: "This behaviour has often included verbal abuse, intimidation, and violence."
Among those named in the injunction are four men facing criminal charges linked to violence:
- RTC founder Ryan Bridge faces a charge of common assault after an incident in Brighton and is on bail in connection with a suspected wounding allegation following an incident in Stirchley, and an allegation of racially and religiously-aggravated harassment in Oxford.
- RTC member Julian Keane, referred to as 'Elon' by Ryan Bridge in social media videos, is under investigation linked to a hit-and-run incident.
- RTC member Billy Allison is currently remanded in custody facing criminal charges for murder and grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent.
- Original RTC Oxfordshire member, Ben Cullen, faces three criminal counts of making indecent images of children.
Group's hopes and responses
Brummies United Against Racism and Hate Crime said it hoped the injunction would be successful to 'prohibit further flagging activity, limit RTC's behaviour, and ultimately restore the nation's flag as a true symbol of unity.' The group started as a campaign to print and display a colourful poster as a united front against all forms of racism and hate crime, and has since grown into a grassroots organisation supporting and protecting Birmingham's diverse communities.
In a statement released this morning, Raise the Colours - not named in the injunction but representing some of those who are - said: "At this stage we have not received or reviewed the full court papers and cannot comment on the detail of any allegations or the current position. Raise the Colours rejects any suggestion that we are seeking to divide communities. Our aim has always been to bring communities together through visible expression of national pride, and many people see the flags as a positive symbol that brings joy, identity and a sense of unity."
Birmingham Reform UK's group of 22 councillors, led by Coun Jex Parkin, has come out against the injunction bid, describing it as 'extraordinary'. He said: "The Union flag and St George's Cross belong to everybody. They are the flags of our country. If we reach a point where flying them is itself described as divisive, we've got a much deeper problem."
Coun Alan Feeney, shadow cabinet member for city services and Digital, from Reform UK, said: "This simply is not a priority for residents. Birmingham has an ongoing bin strike, roads filled with potholes and travellers breaking onto parks across the city, costing the taxpayers hundreds of thousands of pounds. The council's focus should be on dealing with these issues, not taking down flags that were placed as a symbol of national pride."
