00:00A row has continued in Birmingham for several months over large numbers of youth
00:05Indian flags and St George's crosses being attached to lampposts and roadside posts on some routes
00:10and estates and it has become highly contentious. Supporters involved in the campaign include
00:15a group calling itself Raise the Colors say the flags are a sign of pride and belonging
00:20and they insist they are not targeting any community. Critics including Bromis United and
00:25other anti-racism campaigners say the scale and coordination make the displays feel
00:30like a political statement and some residents say they felt intimidated when challenging it.
00:35At Birmingham City Council a petition with more than a thousand signatures has asked for tougher
00:40action and clearer rules. Labour councillor Jamie Tennant, the cabinet member for social justice
00:45community safety and equalities, says the council can remove unauthorised items when
00:50they create a hazard or where there's evidence of wider community impact but it's limited by
00:55what the law allows. West Midlands police say people should report harassment. The organisers
01:00say they rely on donations and aim to stay within the law while saying they will continue their
01:05activities across Birmingham neighbourhoods. The council says it prioritises removals where
01:10attachments could fail, distract drivers or block signs and sightlines.
01:15The council says removals focus on safety, risks and locations with CLIAC.
01:20community impact. Campaigners opposed to the flag say the displays have shifted from celebration to
01:25confrontation while supporters argue enforcement should remain proportionate and lawful.
01:30part- risque.
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