West Midlands-based Raise the Colours and its leader Ryan Bridge have strongly rejected claims made in a BirminghamLive opinion article that their flagging operation is politically motivated and should be stopped.
Background to the Dispute
Birmingham Live's politics and people editor Jane Haynes wrote an opinion piece criticising the ongoing flagging of the city's neighbourhoods and streets. She argued that while flying the national flag is not normally problematic, it was being used in a confrontational way to foment division and stir up tension.
Haynes stated: "The flags that are flown are not neutral symbols. They are the flags of our nation, proudly flown at moments of heightened national pride - but used by Bridge and his allies, they are markers about who belongs, and who does not." She added that many Brummies are pushing back and pressing for unity over division, and called on the council, police, and the city to act.
Raise the Colours' Response
In a written response following the publication of the opinion piece, Mr Bridge challenged the observations made. He said the article contained "a number of assertions and characterisations which are inaccurate, unbalanced, and unsupported by any verified evidence" and considered it necessary to correct the record.
Bridge specifically rejected the suggestion that Raise the Colours is politically motivated, stating: "Raise the Colours is not affiliated with any political party and does not operate as a political organisation. Any implication otherwise is a mischaracterisation." He also noted that the article repeated allegations of intimidation and conduct causing distress, which he said were serious claims presented without substantiation or proper context. "No verified findings are referenced, and the reporting appears to rely on subjective opinion rather than established fact," he added.
The editor's note clarifies that the original article was clearly presented as opinion but rooted in verifiable facts and footage published by Raise the Colours and others.
Further Concerns
Bridge expressed concern that the article presented a one-sided narrative, relying on emotive statements without providing an opportunity for balance or clarification prior to publication. He emphasised that Raise the Colours operates as an independent, community-led initiative, not directed by any political agenda.
He also highlighted that members of Raise the Colours have been subjected to hostility while operating in public spaces, including verbal abuse and physical confrontation, despite consistently seeking to act lawfully and avoid escalation. "We do not interfere with other individuals or groups exercising their own rights in public spaces and expect the same standard of tolerance and fairness to be applied to our activities," Bridge concluded.
