Pro-Gaza activist Carol Williams said Britain's national flag had been turned into a 'symbol of division'
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 England's 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. "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.
FULL ARTICLE AT: https://www.gbnews.com/news/birmingham-union-jacks-tear-down-racist-palestine-flag
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