Raise the Colours leader Ryan Bridge has claimed he was simply 'going along from lamp post to lamp post erecting beautiful flags' and was not involved in harassing or intimidating behaviour towards Stirchley residents, amid a police probe and evidence from multiple videos.
Phone Call and Allegations
Bridge refused to answer most of BirminghamLive's questions direct in a phone call this afternoon about the events of last night, Thursday May 14, including an allegation that a vehicle of his organisation was involved in a hit and run incident that left a man injured with a broken leg and in hospital. He said he would supply a written statement in response to our questions about his group's antics in the Birmingham suburb.
Livestream Footage
The group's own livestream footage from the streets of Stirchley show multiple interactions between Bridge and others in Raise the Colours hoodies with local residents who told them they were not welcome. Bridge was seen making derogatory and demeaning comments to men and women they approached in the street, swearing and confronting those who said they intended to take down the flags. The Raise the Colours crews are putting up flags across the city and other parts of the country without authority. Two councils, in Shropshire and Oxfordshire, are legally challenging flagging operations.
Police Response
West Midlands Police turned out in force in response to concerns raised by residents but did not report any arrests. In a short phone call with BirminghamLive, Bridge disputed that he was personally involved in intimidating behaviour and refused to confirm or deny if he had been questioned by police. He claimed those who were on the receiving end of abuse had 'metal poles with barbed wire' in their vehicles, which were being used to snip down flags that Bridge and his crew had put up. He described those actions as 'vandalism'.
Bridge's Defence
When asked to respond to the allegation 'that you and your fellow volunteers...engaged in harassing and intimidating behaviour' Bridge said: "I was literally going down the road from lamppost to lamppost, erecting the beautiful flag of our beautiful country." His group have described anyone who interferes with their project as 'woke lefties' and 'traitors'.
Further Developments
Asked to confirm where he lives, and asked if it was correct he lived in Bromsgrove, Bridge did not reply but said he would now 'google where you live' to our reporter. He later told his followers he was heading to London to join the Tommy Robinson led Unite the Kingdom rally taking place tomorrow, Saturday. Earlier today footage was shared that showed the moment a member of Raise the Colours hit out at people on Pershore Road. Tempers flared after the group had heard that the flag they had attached on lampposts was being taken down.
Community Reaction
Raise the Colours were filmed returning to the main road and directing a tirade of abuse against another group they branded 'lefties'. Footage has emerged showing a man wearing a Raise the Colours hoodie and a mask aggressively walking up to people in the road and punching out at them, causing them to flinch. The mask was taken off the face of a woman standing with the anti flaggers. Local group Stirchley is For Everyone, made up of residents and business owners, said the night of "targeted violence and hospitalisations" marked a "dangerous escalation". They said they had faced months of "harassment, doxxing, and intimidation" from the group and urged Birmingham Selly Oak MP, Al Carns, to help.
MP Condemns Group
Later the MP condemned the group and wrote to West Midlands Police about the incidents. The appearance of the flags in Birmingham has been the subject of a fierce debate, with those responsible claiming they are 'patriots' but it has sparked deep concern from anti-racism campaigners. They say those responsible are politically motivated and seeking to stir up division. "The Union Jack is a symbol of unity, not division, of patriotism, not polarisation," Mr Carns wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Letter to Police
In his letter to the acting chief constable of West Midlands Police, the MP wrote: "I am writing about recent events in Stirchley involving the group Raise the Colours and the issues being raised with me by my constituents. My office has heard from dozens of residents whose accounts describe incidents of harassment, intimidation and physical assault by members of this group, many of whom are not from Birmingham. Video evidence of some of these incidents is being shared online." One resident reported feeling 'unsupported' by police after reporting being followed by three men shouting abuse.
Council Statement
Carns added his constituents wanted reassurance that the incidents were taken seriously and that Stirchley would "not see a repeat of what has happened". He also asked whether the police or council could work together on preventative measures, including possible injunctions on unauthorised flag displays. "My constituents deserve to feel safe in their own neighbourhood and I know that is something we both want," he wrote. Birmingham City Council said it was aware of the "incident in Stirchley".
Council's Response
"We are continuing to monitor locations across the city where community concerns are being reported and are aware of increased tensions in some areas," a spokesperson for the council said. "We are working closely with West Midlands Police, supporting their inquiries and any follow-up action that may be required. Our priority remains the safety and wellbeing of residents, staff, contractors and the wider community. We encourage all residents to act responsibly and respectfully to help maintain calm, reduce the risk of intimidation, and support community cohesion during this period." Birmingham is a proud and welcoming city, and we recognise the importance of national flags to many residents," they added.
