𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Locals removing Union flags in Moseley have claimed they are doing so to “make a statement”. Organisers of an event to remove flags installed as part of the nationwide grassroots ‘Raise the Colours’ campaign took flags down from public street furniture to rounds of applause from observers.

Moseley Is For Everyone organised the event as a response to the installation of the flags by the rival Raise the Colours group.

Speaking to local media, Birmingham Live, one of the organisers, David Masters said: “Today is everyone together having fun and making a statement about what Moseley means to people.”

The campaigner accused the Raise the Colours movement of trying to “impose” xenophobia and nationalism into the local community by erecting the nation’s flag in public.

He said: “We’re just not having that. Everyone is welcome to put up flags in their home, but Raise The Colours has links to the English Defence League.”

Mr Masters accused the group of “putting flags up as an act of provocation on a mixed community.”

He was joined at the event by a Labour politician, Stephen Pihlaja, who said: “Moseley’s a unique place, a beautiful and diverse village in the city with people from all backgrounds.

“I’m an immigrant from the United States and love this country. I worked hard to become a citizen and love the flag, I used to have a Union Jack up in my dorm room at university.

“The real problem with flags is putting it on public property without permission. Moseley should decide what it wants on its lamposts without people from outside the area doing it.

“Almost all political parties have come together today to show that the flags going up is not okay in Moseley.”

Raise the Colours does not have a centralised organisation, so there are no designated spokespersons to contact for comment. On their website they say: “We believe patriotism should be visible, positive and inclusive.

“Our flags are not about division — they are about belonging, togetherness, and celebrating the identity we hold in common. By raising the colours, we raise a message of unity and determination that can be seen on every street.”

The movement has seen a nationwide spread of flags being erected in public, often on lampposts without the permission of local authorities.