Residents in Birmingham, England, are flying the St. George’s Cross in defiance of city officials who ordered the flags removed from lampposts and roundabouts, calling them “unauthorised” and a safety risk, The Sun reported.
What began in the suburb of Weoley Castle has spread across whole streets in the south of the city, with locals draping the English flag over homes and public spaces despite the council’s warnings. Supporters say they are tired of being branded “racist” for showing pride in their country while taxpayers fund asylum hotels and pensioner benefits are cut.
“Enough is enough,” resident Darren Elms told The Sun. “When the Welsh fly their flag, they’re Welsh. When the Scots do it, they’re Scots. But when the English do it, we’re racist. That’s nonsense.”
The movement, dubbed Operation Raise the Colours, has also seen Union Jacks appear nationwide. Even Prime Minister Keir Starmer has backed the right to display national flags, saying they are “a great symbol of our nation” and should not be “belittled.”
