![\"England](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0_JS378384875.jpg\")
England flags flying on lampposts on Genners Lane along Bartley Reservoir , Bartley Green Birmingham. (Image: SWNS)<\/p>\nBirmingham Stand Up Against Racism (BSUAR) and Birmingham Race Impact Group have united as they say England flags flying across the city are a \u201cfar right orchestrated attack\u201d on ethnic minoritiesEngland flags flying on lampposts on Genners Lane along Bartley Reservoir , Bartley Green Birmingham. (Image: SWNS)<\/p>\n
Two Birmingham anti racist organisations are tonight demanding the \u201cimmediate removal\u201d of flags put up across city communities – warning it is a \u201cfar right orchestrated attack\u201d on ethnic minorities and race harmony.<\/p>\n
Birmingham<\/a> Stand Up Against Racism (BSUAR) and Birmingham Race Impact Group have tonight \u201cunequivocally condemned the orchestrated placement of Union Jacks and St George\u2019s flags on lampposts\u2014and the painting of St George\u2019s crosses on roundabouts\u2014across our city.\u201d<\/p>\n They have warned: \u201cThis is not innocent \u201cpatriotism.\u201d<\/p>\n The groups say it is \u2018part of a far-right operation aimed at intimidating asylum seekers, migrants, and Muslims, and sowing division in our communities\u2019.<\/p>\n They argue that the campaign, organised as \u201cOperation Raise the Colours,\u201d is \u2018neither spontaneous nor harmless.\u201d<\/p>\n They also claim it has received explicit backing from known far-right figures including Stephen Yaxley-Lennon (Tommy Robinson) who has publicly urged activists to \u201craise the colours\u201d in defiance of councils removing flags, while Britain First has supplied flags to organisers.<\/p>\n The groups say: \u201cThese links show this is not a benign display of local pride but a coordinated far-right strategy, embedded in extremist political organising.<\/p>\n \u201cSuch displays send a chilling message to Birmingham\u2019s diverse communities: that they are unwelcome, under surveillance, and at risk.”<\/p>\n The group, part of Birmingham Race Impact Group\u2019s campaign for Birmingham to be a truly anti racist city, said: \u201cWe support Birmingham City Council<\/a> \u2019s initiative to remove the flags from lampposts and other street furniture.<\/p>\n “But let\u2019s be clear: the central reason these flags must come down is not simply because of health and safety regulations or questions of legality.<\/p>\n “They must be removed because they are symbols of racist intimidation and far-right organising. To leave them in place is to allow fascist groups to mark territory and spread hate.\u201d<\/p>\n Read more <\/strong>Strict rule for UK households flying St George’s flag at night<\/a><\/p>\n The flags campaign emerges amid a surge in racist violence. In recent weeks, two elderly Sikh men were brutally attacked in Wolverhampton in a suspected racially aggravated assault.<\/p>\n Throwing down the gauntlet to the local council and police, the groups demand:<\/p>\n 1. Immediate removal of all unauthorised flags and painted crosses\u2014first and foremost because they are racist, far-right symbols of intimidation, not legitimate community pride.<\/p>\n 2. A public declaration by Birmingham City Council and West Midlands Police<\/a> that the far-right flag campaign is racist intimidation and will be opposed on those grounds, not reduced to a health and safety issue.<\/p>\n 3. That national parties must abandon xenophobic rhetoric and adopt language grounded in dignity and justice.<\/p>\n 4. That residents, faith groups, trade unions, youth and sports organisations unite\u2014report hate, stand with neighbours, and demonstrate that Birmingham rejects racism.<\/p>\n Voices from the community<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0_JS378384869.jpg\")
A roundabout on the junction of Priory Road, Trittiford Road and Highfield Road which has been painted with a St George’s Flag. (Image: Joseph Walshe, \/ SWNS
\n)’Marking territory’<\/p>\n