Locals have described the hanging of England flags from lampposts in their neighbourhood as racist and stupid. The people who attached the banners in Liverpool were labelled “divisive” by some residents.
Alan Gibbons, a councillor on Liverpool City Council, said he confronted three men who were putting flags up in the city’s Orrell Park and Walton Vale neighbourhoods on Saturday (October 18). He said some of the flags included the words “Stop the boats” and others targeted Liverpool Riverside MP, Kim Johnson.
Mr Gibbons told the Liverpool Echo that he believes the men filmed him and followed him home.
He was litter-picking in the local area when he came across the group climbing up a ladder to fix flags to lampposts.
The councillor suggested a more patriotic act the men could have engaged in was picking up litter instead of hanging flags on council property.
Liverpool local, Janet Williams, said: “Well said that councillor. Being patriotic and proud is getting out there litter picking and looking after your area.”
Jen Morrin said it was stupid to put up flag with a message calling for Ms Johnson’s removal. The Labour politician is Liverpool’s first black MP.
Ms Morrin said: “Just shows the mentality of these people, putting up a flag with a message to remove Kim Johnson when it isn’t even her constituency. Stupid is as stupid does.”
Phil Charnock urged flag-raisers to stick them on their own properties and keep them free of racist bilge so they won’t be removed.
Liverpool local, Neil Gorton, explained it was illegal to attach things to lampposts and other structures on public highways without consent.
This summer saw Union and St George’s cross flags flown from lampposts by some members of the public in a campaign called “Operation Raise the Colours”.
The flag-raising has been defended by supporters, who hail it as a patriotic display. Critics argue that the flags are divisive and a cover for hostility towards migrants.