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‘Welcome to our community’ – community group’s response to ‘divisive’ flags
A community group has responded to the appearance of Union Jack flags in their area by putting up posters to try and promote a message of “union” over “division”.
Attached to lampposts dotted along West Street in Bedminster at the weekend hang dozens of posters showing overlapping hands of different skin tones beneath the words: ‘Welcome to our community.’
They have been raised by Way Out West, a neighbourhood improvement group for residents, traders and organisations in West Street, which runs projects such as the BS3 Repair Cafe.
It is in response to Operation Raise the Colours – a group that encourages people to hang St George and Union Jack flags as a sign of pride in national identity.
Some are worried that the flags are associated with anti-immigration sentiment.
A south Bristol community group has created their own posters promoting a message multiculturalism – photo: Way Out West
In a statement to Bristol24/7, Stef Brammer explained the motivation behind the posters: “As a local neighbourhood group, we wanted to send a message of community cohesion and reassurance to local businesses run by and employing people with their roots in Iran, Bangladesh, Turkey, India, Italy, Thailand and Pakistan.”
“We respect and are proud of the union flag – but in this instance felt it was being used by a national organisation to promote division rather than union.”
The raising of Union Jack and St George’s flags have been sparking pride and panic across the country – photo: Betty Woolerton
Main photo: Betty Woolerton
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