Council injunction to ban activists putting flags up

Birmingham City Council is seeking a High Court injunction to stop members of anti-migrant group Raise the Colours from putting flags up in the city.

The authority said the action followed an "evidence-led process" which was focused on public safety, lawful highway management and community cohesion.

The Birmingham-based group has been actively putting up Union and St George's Cross flags on lampposts in several suburbs, leading to angry clashes with opposing groups and residents who claimed their actions were divisive rather than patriotic.

The injunction names organiser Ryan Bridge and six others as well as "persons unknown". If successful, it would prevent anyone hanging flags.

Flags first began appearing around the country as well as in Birmingham last year, with various groups behind the movement.

It followed growing tensions around immigration across the UK.

Speaking in October last year, Bridge, from Bromsgrove in Worcestershire, said the idea behind Raise The Colours was to show pride and unity in "a multi-faith, multi-religion, multicultural country".

But it prompted people in areas including Stirchley and Moseley to remove them as some opposing activists stated the flags had been hijacked by far-right groups promoting anti-immigrant and racist sentiments.

In June, Bridge was among four activists who agreed not to put up flags on lampposts in Oxfordshire after the county council brought legal action to stop people raising flags near highways.

On Wednesday, Birmingham City Council said its injunction would prevent "unauthorised attachments on the highway, including flags, banners and signage".

"Community engagement will continue alongside the legal process," it added.

In a statement, councillor Jane Baston, cabinet member for equalities, communities and social justice, said: "The council is taking a lawful, proportionate and evidence-led approach to unauthorised attachments on the highway.

"This includes pursuing injunctive action based on the evidence gathered to date.

"Our priority is to protect public safety, staff and contractor welfare, community cohesion and the responsible use of public funds.

"We ask residents and community groups to support this approach and to ensure any displays are placed only where permission exists."

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