They are banning their own flag

smh. England is done

Birmingham council seeking to ban British flags 'for public safety'



Birmingham city council wants to remove British flags from the streets of the city “to protect public safety”.

On Wednesday, the council – run by a coalition of the Liberal Democrats, the Greens and independents – launched legal action to ban raising Union Flags or St George’s Crosses.

If Birmingham council is granted an injunction, anyone who put up flags near roads without its permission would face as long as two years in prison or an unlimited fine.

British and English national flags have become a regular sight on lamp posts nationwide since the Operation Raise the Colours campaign gained traction on social media last year.

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.

“This includes pursuing injunctive action based on the evidence gathered to date. Our priority is to protect public safety, staff and contractor welfare, community cohesion and the responsible use of public funds.

“We ask residents and community groups to support this approach and to ensure any displays are placed only where permission exists.”

Birmingham city council said it sought an injunction from the High Court after staff tasked with removing the unauthorised flags faced harassment.

In its application, first reported by The Guardian, the council named Ryan Bridge, the co-founder of Operation Raise the Colours, in addition to seven other people and “persons unknown”.

Last month, Oxfordshire county council became the first local authority to win a legal battle to end the flying of flags from lamp posts.

Mr Bridge agreed to stop hanging flags without permission on or near public highways in Oxfordshire after that county council’s legal fight succeeded.

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