Birmingham Friends of the Earth is supporting the Brum Together statement which has been initiated by local residents. They have been speaking out about the ‘Operation Raising the Colours’ campaign, which has seen streets across the city inundated with Union Jacks and St George’s flags. They say they are worried the flags campaign could be divisive. While some people see the flags as a display of pride and patriotism, many people have been left feeling vulnerable and excluded.
The Brum Together statement 
“We are proud to live in Birmingham — a city built by many cultures, stories and traditions. Our diversity is our strength, and that’s what makes this place home. There is nothing wrong with people flying a national flag from their home. But when flags appear across our streets in a coordinated campaign, we should ask: is this about shared pride, or something more divisive? True pride is inclusive. The best way to show love for Birmingham is not through one symbol alone, but through celebrating everyone who calls this city home.”
Birmingham Friends of the Earth is one of a number of different organisations that are supporting the Brum Together statement. Others include Birmingham Climate Justice Coalition, Birmingham Race Impact Group, Birmingham NEU, Stand Up To Racism Birmingham, ChangeKitchen CIC and Woodcraft Folk, South Birmingham District.
You can read and sign and share the statement here: https://tinyurl.com/brumtogetherstatement
People were asked why they are signing the statement. This is what they said:
“Everyone should have the right to live without fear.” – Memoona, Birmingham
“I am appalled and frightened by the rise of right wing extremism rhetoric and actions across the UK and in Birmingham! And I want to stand up against this racism, nationalism, homophobia, trans phobia and all the other OTHERING going on! Let’s stand together!” – Birgit, Kings Heath
“We r 1” – Usma, Billesley
“[I signed this statement] to stand up for equal rights, unity, justice, peace and love , so all are made welcome in our community” – Tim, Birmingham
“I’m concerned about how this flag campaign is being organised and by who. They claim it’s to be patriotic but the videos I have seen look more divisive and less about inclusion. Majority of Brummies are kind, compassionate and welcoming people. We don’t want division and hatefulness to take over our home.” – Salma, Moseley
“I lived in Birmingham for 10+ years and now I work in the city. I’m proud of its diversity, not any division people might try to create. I loved living in a vibrant, busy, multicultural city.” – Emma, Lichfield (work in Balsall Heath)
“I feel the flag campaign is divisive and I’m very unhappy about a flag being flown directly outside my property when the campaign is supported by known racists.” – Mari, Weoley Hill
“Concerned about underlying motives of Operation Raise the colours.” – Narendra, Bournville/Weoley Hill
“[I signed this statement] to challenge the campaign to define nationalism as far right, and value diversity.” – John, Cotteridge
“[I signed this statement] because it is a peaceful way to make a statement that all are welcome.” – Jonathan, Selly Oak
“I find the flags hanging very disturbing and menacing.” – Sylvette, Selly Oak
“The diversity of its people make Birmingham the vibrant, successful, multi talented and hopefully caring city that it is today!” – Jill, Moseley
“It is important to show that anti-racism and anti-fascism is part of our culture. I felt welcome when I moved here from London 21 years ago because so many global cultures have blended together to form a lovely brummie culture. It feels homely and I will not sit by while racists seek to divide our communities.” – Tracy, Birmingham
“The far-right are coordinating across the country to intimidate communities, with riots and violence being used against immigrants and those people think are immigrants. Put simply it’s racism. And the growth of flags along roads is a clear sign of this development, they are a threat. We must make sure everyone in our communities are safe from the violence they have already done and the violence they are likely to commit in the future.” – Louis, Balsall Heath
“It’s completely disingenuous for anyone to suggest that these flags have been put up to be anything other than intimidating. In the current climate, with growing racial tensions, stoked by known and prominent far right and fascist groups, this overt display of the England flag is a clear message to anyone not seen to be English, that they aren’t welcome. Anyone suggesting otherwise is not being honest with themselves. I am a White British woman and I hate seeing the flags and painted roundabouts. English and British values aren’t being eroded, we aren’t losing our culture and suggestions that we are is what stokes threatening displays such as these. The flags don’t make me proud, they make me sad and deeply concerned for the future of our beautifully diverse city.” – Kate, Billesley
“I’m proud of where I live and believe all are equal.” – Kulbir, Bournville
“[I signed this statement] to assert the right of everyone to feel pride in his city” – Mohamad, Birmingham
“The people weaponising these flags are crying crocodile tears.” – Blake, Edgbaston
“I think it is important Brum remains a welcoming City.” – Richard, Bournville
“[I signed this statement] to make it clear how plastering flags like this sends a very divisive message.” – Paul, Stirchley
“We are one.” – Yoke, Northfield
“Solidarity” – Jane, Selly Oak, Alex, Weoley Castle
“Birmingham must stand together against those who seek division and hatred. United together makes us stronger.”– Jagwant, Wylde Green
“I’m concerned about the hi-jacking of the England and union flags by far right groups. ‘Operation Raise the Colours’ is clearly an orchestrated campaign which only serves to stoke division and hate.” – Kirsten, Moseley
“Pride is inclusive, not divisive” – Andrew, Bournville
“Inclusiveness is a principle I fully support having lived in Birmingham for 50 years.” – Tom, Weoley Hill
“I find the use of our National Flag in this way inappropriate and may be cause of local divisiveness and will not encourage inclusiveness for all Birmingham citizens.” – Gwyneth, Weoley Hill
“As an ex British soldier, I am proud to serve this country as my uncle did in the ww2 in Burma” – Ashfaq, Solihull
“I am signing because I value diversity, not bigotry” – Steve, South Birmingham
“Huge concern about the divisive nature of the street flag campaign.” – David, Weoley Hill
“I want to live in a world without hate and division and have a future with hope!”– Lakhbir, South Birmingham
“I am appalled by the racist attitude of the people putting up the flags.” – Chris, Selly Oak/Weoley Hill
“I agree with the statement” – Ranjit, Halesowen
“We need to stand together against racism and incipient fascism” – Andy, Kings Heath
“Dominant forms of nationalism exclude and oppress in ways that deflect attention from how those with too much wealth and power cause the problems so many of us face.”.– John, Ladywood
“I embrace the diversity and culture of our city.” – Rose, Balsall Heath
“I’m proud to call Birmingham home because of its inclusivity. We must protect and nurture this, ensuring that everyone feels valued, safe and respected.” – Alison, North Edgbaston
“Unity is strength. We must not let a few rowdy racists spoil our city.” – Jules, Sparkhill
“I am very concerned about the flags. They just create division within our communities.” – Caroline, North Edgbaston
“I agree wholeheartedly with the statement and am very concerned about the number of British and English flags suddenly appearing in public places. Nothing wrong with national pride, nor with reclaiming our flag, but I am rather suspicious of the true intentions of those displaying the flags. If their purpose is straightforward, honest and inclusive, why the secrecy?” – Jill, Bournville
“I have no problem with flying flags on official and other flagpoles and on homes but this rash of flags is over the top and invites comparison with places where there is division and conflict. It is not simply pride or patriotism it is designed to mark territory and sow division.” – Brian, Weoley
“I want to live in a community where everyone is welcome.” – Claire, Cotteridge
“I feel deeply disturbed and upset by all the flags and how they do not represent a welcoming and inclusive city.” – Debbie, Harborne
“Flags have been put up in public areas without consultation of residents, with political and sinister intent as an anti-immigrant symbol, using the flag as a tool for hate and division. Not least lamp posts are Highways property, it is not for a small number of men to make this decision. The Council should be removing for public safety as well as highways safety. No one should be made to feel unwelcome in their own country and local area. I am not impressed with BCC inaction on this.” – Noreen, Rednal
“The St George’s Cross makes me feel unwelcome, unacknowledged and unsafe.” – Meena,Hall Green
“I am grateful to live in a city that thrives on diversity.” – Fran , Balsall Heath
“I see the huge amount of Union Flags and George crosses across our city as not only illegal but very xenophobic, masqueading as patriotic. It’s a dangerous thing for our city.” – Ben, Kings Norton
“Sadly the flags make me feel uncomfortable” – Louise, Alvechurch
“I am an immigrant, I am a friend, mother, neighbour, voter, and Brummie. I want to live in a tolerant, welcoming and inclusive place we can all call home.” – Caroline, Sutton Coldfield
“I don’t feel as though these flags are being used as symbols of appreciation for England but as a symbol of divide and a way to make people feel unwelcome and I don’t agree with this. Everyone has a right to live here and be free from intimidation, discrimination and cruelty. I sign this because I want the communities who have been targeted by extreme right wing groups and intimidation tactics to know that they are welcome here and that the treatment they face is not tolerated.” – Emily, Bournville
“Fully support this statement- thanks for the campaign. When there were all the terrible anti asylum seeker protests in England last year, I felt proud that there weren’t really any disturbances in our diverse city. This recent flag mounting may be (thankfully) non violent in itself but grooms the pernicious narrative that is simmering in this country; that only whites are “real” or trustworthy English people.” – Naomi, Cotteridge/ Bournville
“Celebrating national pride and heritage is great and I heartily encourage this. But what we are seeing is not that. It’s a brutal, cruel display of othering and intimidation in an attempt to launder their racism as something more palatable.” – Charlie, Northfield
“I don’t want people to feel unwelcome or unwanted, our city is for everyone. I want our national flag to find a new meaning and not be stolen by the bigoted and brainwashed.” – Lucy, Kings Heath and Northfield
“I object to the ‘English’ flag being flown by the Neanderthal thinking mob.” – Les, Birmingham
“Very upset with this new wave of racism.” – Joy, Sparkbrook
“I would like to take the hostility, aggression, and racism out of flying the union flag or the St George’s flag so that it’s more inclusive.” – Juliet, Stirchley
“I’m proud to be a Brummie in our multicultural city.” – Shirin, Kings Heath
“The people organising the “”Raise the Colours”” flagsplosion are far-right nasties who seek to divide us from our neighbours. We should all stand together against them.” – Jane, Balsall Heath
“I like unity and I believe that people must be treated equally” – Faith, Dudley
“Signing to show unity” – Alison, Stirchley
“I signed because I care about Birmingham” – Tom, Kings Norton
“More unity, less BS” – Ed, Handsworth
“I signed because I love this city.” – Claudia, Small Heath
“I live in a vibrant diverse community. Everyone has the right to live peacefully together in our communities.” – Vanessa, Bearwood
“I’m concerned that these symbols are divisive and could provide flashpoints for trouble. I love how multicultural Brum is and don’t want to lose our love and respect for all our neighbours” – Katy, Moseley
“I find the flags divisive and politically motivated.” – Danielle, South Birmingham
“Divisive, provocative, passive aggressive. Together we are stronger.” – Malcolm, Selly Oak
“I oppose rise in fascism and hate against migrants and asylum seekers.”– Jasmine, Selly Oak
