Activists call on Sheffield council to act over 'flags used as territorial markers' to threaten minorities
Activists are calling on Sheffield Council to take more proactive action in removing flags, which they argue have been put up in a ‘coordinated campaign of intimidation’.
Over the past year, the so-called ‘Operation Raise the Colours’ movement has seen groups put Union Jack and St George’s Cross flags up on lampposts and street furniture across the country.
The action has caused a number of strong reactions, with some calling it a display of national pride, while others accuse those responsible for stoking racism.
Sheffield Communities Against Racism and Fascism (SCARF) - a local activist group - fall into the latter category, and have called on the city council to take action over recent efforts to put up flags in communities like Parson Cross and Southey.
In an open letter sent to the city’s council and MPs, the group writes: “These flags are part of a coordinated campaign of intimidation and anti-immigrant hate. They are illegal, and allowing them to remain is an abandonment of public space and a toleration of harassment.
“The council has acknowledged that Operation Raise the Colours has been discussed internally. Yet, it has refused to instruct its contractor, Amey, to remove the flags, citing concerns for staff safety.
“This reasoning is unacceptable. Sheffield has previously enforced highly unpopular policies when it chose to do so. During the Streets Ahead tree-felling programme, Amey was provided with full police support and security to continue work despite public protests. An independent report commissioned by the South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner confirmed that the programme could not have proceeded without this protection.
“If security can be provided to cut down trees in an unpopular programme, the same can and must be provided to protect residents from intimidation and harassment. There is no justification for the stark difference in approach.
“These flags act as territorial markers. They signal ownership of space and make non-white residents feel unsafe and unwelcome in their own communities. Explicit threats of violence toward residents attempting to remove flags have been reported many times.”
They argue that other councils have already taken action to handle the ongoing situation, pointing to places like Scarborough where the council has fined someone over £2,000 for raising flags.
However, locally councils have taken a much different approach.
Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council has announced plans to offer grants for residents to raise flag poles, while Sheffield City Council has previously said they would only remove objects during regular maintenance.
“The council has already demonstrated it can act safely and decisively - there is no reason to fail residents now,” SCARF’s letter adds.
“Public lampposts and street furniture belong to the city, not to groups who seek to intimidate and exclude. Residents deserve to walk freely in their communities without fear, and Sheffield City Council has a duty to ensure that this right is upheld.
“We urge the council to act immediately. Every day that flags remain is another day residents are threatened and excluded from their communities.”
A council spokesperson said: “Sheffield City Council wholeheartedly condemns acts of violence and harassment, and would always encourage members of the public to report these to the police through the usual channels.
“We are focusing our resources on removing flags that have been modified with slogans or wording, those that have been graffitied, and those that present a safety hazard.
“Other flags attached to public infrastructure will be removed as part of routine maintenance, in line with our existing highways policy.”