Flag flying in York has become the centre of a storm after councillors, residents and students reported intimidation, racist abuse and threats linked to the sudden spread of national flags across the city. What began in mid-August as a campaign said to promote pride and community spirit has instead led to an atmosphere described as “oppressive” and “sinister”.
The flags, attached to lamp posts and public spaces, were put up by groups including Flag Force and Operation Raise the Colours. Organisers claim their aim is to bring people together, raise money for charity and encourage volunteer activities such as litter-picking. Yet councillors and local people speaking at City of York Council’s meeting on 18 September said the reality has been far darker.
Council leader Claire Douglas warned of “the sinister side of flag flying” and told colleagues that contractors and staff had been verbally abused and harassed while removing the displays.
The clean-up operation has already cost £250,000, she said, adding that parish councillors and residents who challenged the flag campaigners had been threatened with having their personal details exposed online. “This must stop,” Cllr Douglas said, urging councillors across parties to show a united front.
The concerns are not just financial. A 54-year-old man was arrested after a St George’s flag was hung from York’s medieval walls near Walmgate in an incident believed to have been aimed at MP Rachael Maskell, who had earlier called for flags to be removed following complaints from hundreds of residents. He has since been bailed as police continue their investigation.
Isabella Langdon, a PhD student, told councillors that York risked “going down a dark road” if intimidation linked to flag flying was left unchecked. She said: “I’ve spoken to residents and businesses and heard stories about children being chased by grown men screaming racial slurs and of people being accused of being illegal immigrants in the street in broad daylight. International students have been leaving the city centre early during Freshers’ Week because they don’t want to go home in the dark and others have been challenged in town and told to speak English. This is real and it’s what’s happening in our city right now.”
Local teacher and Green Party activist Michael Kearney told the meeting that LGBTQ residents were also suffering a rise in abuse. “We’re witnessing the vigilantism of fringe groups erecting flags across our city, it may seem harmless to some but they’re not about pride in our community, they’re a dog whistle for hate against marginalised and LGBT people,” he said. “When this is allowed to spread unchallenged it sends a message that intolerance is welcome in York. Any LGBT person will share stories of avoiding York city centre, hiding their identities or having abuse levelled at them.”
Residents have echoed those fears. Ryan Wilson, who has lived in York for five years, said the city now felt threatened by the misuse of national symbols. “One particularly notable event was a French restaurant saying it was hesitant to fly the French flag because they feared reprisal,” he told councillors. “An oppressive atmosphere has been created in our city, this doesn’t represent who we are. We’ve receded into ourselves leaving our desire for community unfulfilled, the effort to raise flags has built links and a sense of purpose amongst some, we should reach out to build new positive links in our communities.”
Political leaders from across the spectrum condemned the rise in racist language and intimidation. Liberal Democrat leader Nigel Ayre described the abuse that has followed the flag flying in York as “a low point in York’s history.”
Conservative group leader Chris Steward said national flags themselves were not racist but had been misused, adding that not all of them should be removed.
Flag Force has declined to comment following the criticism, though co-founder Joseph Moulton previously told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that racist incidents were “deplorable” but claims of intimidation were “anecdotal.” Another spokesperson said supporters were tired of being accused of racism for wanting to fly their country’s flag in their own city.
Yet for many in York, the issue is no longer about flags themselves but about what has followed them. Red crosses have been painted on roundabouts and crossings, while racist graffiti has appeared on local businesses, including the Dragon House Chinese takeaway on Foxwood Lane. Reports of abuse, intimidation and vandalism have turned what might have been seen as an innocent community initiative into something that councillors now say has divided the city.
As the debate continues, councillors from all major parties say York must stand firm against intolerance. For those who feel unsafe, the real question is not whether flags should fly, but what kind of community York wants to be. The call for unity is clear, but whether it will overcome the fear created in recent weeks remains uncertain.
