Birmingham locals tear down Union Jacks over ‘racist intent’
More than 150 people in Birmingham gathered to tear down Union Jacks in what organisers called a “de-flagging celebration”.
The gathering saw locals pull down this country’s flags from lamp-posts across Moseley, a middle-class suburb of the Second City.
The flags had been hoisted under “Operation Raise the Colours” just one week prior.
Moseley is home to around 21,000 people, with more than half from “black, Asian or minority ethnic” communities.
The area has a reputation for activism, with residents previously campaigning on issues ranging from railway stations to historic swimming baths.
And one activist, London-born Carol Williams – who participated in the flag removal – claimed the Union Jacks had become “symbols of division.”
She told the BBC: “The flags themselves are not racist or non-patriotic, but the intent behind them most definitely is.”
Ms Williams added: “I’ve heard stories of people saying they don’t feel safe in the country any more, even perhaps leaving the country because of the increase in tensions that are going on.
A huge Palestinian flag flying above coffee shop Cafephilia has faced no organised attempts to pull it down
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TIKTOK/EYESONPALESTINEGAZA
“If they want to fly it on their own property, fair enough, I don’t have a problem with that, but imposing those flags on the community is not something that we’re going to stand for.”
A huge Palestinian flag flying above coffee shop Cafephilia has faced no organised attempts to pull it down, however.
And Ms Williams has announced plans to stand as an independent candidate for Moseley in May’s city council elections.
On her campaign website, she says she found her political drive after “coming across the Socialist Workers Party”.
The SWP “helped me bring together and properly understand the connection between all the issues I felt strongly about”, she says, listing racism, famine, war, Palestine, poverty, and access to clean water as her causes of choice.
Ryan Bridge, from Bromsgrove, leads Raise the Colours and firmly rejected accusations of racism.
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The flags had been hoisted under ‘Operation Raise the Colours’ just one week prior (file photo)
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PAHe told the BBC: “We’re family-orientated, it’s bringing communities together, nothing to do with anything from the far right – I don’t know anyone would suggest that putting a flag up in your own country, of your own country is anything far right.”
Mr Bridge said the group’s aim was “patriotism, unity… [and was] bringing communities together.”
“When we go to your Stirchley’s and your Moseley’s, they don’t seem to approve – the white, middle class liberal areas don’t really like it,” he added.
Mr Bridge went on to describe watching “ultra left-minded people” tear down the flags as “horrendous.”
Ryan Bridge firmly rejected accusations of racism
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PA
West Midlands Police and Birmingham City Council are reportedly monitoring developments following reports of recent clashes.
Stirchley, located roughly a mile from Moseley, experienced similar flag removals by residents and business owners during 2025.
Raise the Colours maintains a Facebook following of 229,000 and responds to requests from communities across the country.
The French Government banned members of the group last month, labelling them “far-right” activists.
According to the French Interior Ministry, they had been destroying small boats along the northern French coast and engaging in “propaganda activity” to prevent Channel crossings.
