Birmingham City Council has started removing Union Jack and St George’s flags from lampposts despite lighting up the city’s library in green and white to mark the anniversary of Pakistan’s independence day.
The flags initially sprung up in Weoley Castle thanks to a “patriotic” group of residents but have been spotted elsewhere in the Northfield area of the city.
“Giving hope to local communities that all isn’t lost and they are not alone. We will be using all funds for flags, poles and cable ties.”
The statement adds that the group are “happy to take road requests on donation”.
The patriotic display has sparked debate on social media, though the majority of people have shown signs of support.
One person wrote: “Loving the flags all around Weoley castle, Northfield & Ley hill. It’s a great sight to see keep up the great work lads. I wonder were they will be going up next.”
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St George’s flags have sprung up on lampposts in Birmingham
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Another added: “KEEP THE FLAGS It’s nice to see them, made me feel proud driving around the area. I wish there were everywhere.
“I’ve travelled the world & almost every country I’ve visited had flags everywhere, they’re proud of their country, we should be too.”
One Facebook user however said the flags made them feel “uncomfortable” and drew links to Reform UK.
They wrote: “When I first saw them I didn’t know what they were for. I thought maybe they were supporting the football or something.
“Then they started appearing everywhere and I felt really uncomfortable because as the flags grew in number, it felt like Weoley Castle had become a place that was full of people who don’t welcome people of other heritages, the anonymous post read.
“Looking on here I see it’s linked to English/British pride and in lots of cases, the Reform party.
“Lots of people don’t support the Reform party, and linking the flags to this party is something some people won’t agree with politically but will feel silenced into speaking up.”
In an anonymous post to a local Facebook group, one of the group members responsible for the flags said the “wrong message” had been portrayed, stressing that they were simply being “patriotic”.
“Just came off due to having the wrong message portrayed about us, the post read.
“Patriotic is the only definition of us hatred is not!
“Love you all for the support, this isn’t going to deter us and we just want to reassure you that your requests will be met and delivered faster than ever now.”
Birmingham City Council has issued a statement to say it plans to remove flags from lampposts, adding that “unauthorised items” could be “putting lives of motorists and pedestrians at risk”.
The local authority made reference to its plans to improve street lighting to energy-efficient LED’s.
It comes as the city council lit up the Library of Birmingham in green and white this week to mark the anniversary of Pakistan’s independence day.
The council lit up the Library of Birmingham to celebrate Pakistan’s independence day
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BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCILReform MP Lee Anderson said in a scathing response: “If the imbeciles running Birmingham City Council think more about Pakistan than the UK then they should all get on the next flight to Islamabad.”
The council’s statement read: “Work is due to begin imminently, and lamp columns need to remain free from attachments so work can be carried out as quickly and safely as possible.
“Lampposts and other street furniture need to be protected which is why highways staff across the city removed around 200 advertising banners and flags that had been attached to lampposts since the start of this year.
“They take down attachments from lampposts routinely, including advertising signs, bunting trails and flags.
“People who attach unauthorised items to lampposts could be putting their lives and those of motorists and pedestrians at risk.
“We continuing to do this every week and would ask that staff doing this work are allowed to continue this work unhindered.”
