The Union Jack was up for days before the community took matters into their own hands
14:59, 07 Feb 2026Updated 15:01, 07 Feb 2026
A British flag taken down in Moseley (Image: BirminghamLive)
Campaigners from Moseley said they ‘made a statement’ with an event which saw flags removed to rounds of applause.
Moseley Is For Everyone was a direct response to British flags installed by Raise The Colours earlier in the week.
The Union Jack was up only a matter of days before members of community organised a day of unity which saw flags removed from lampposts.
READ MORE: Free Birmingham City Council tip truck visits announced – dates and locations
David Masters was there from the start today (Feb 7) and played his part by selecting music ranging from Bob Marley to Panjabi MC.
By bringing a PA system and atmosphere to the community, today was about ‘making a statement’.
David Masters at the Moseley Is For Everyone event (Image: BirminghamLive)
Speaking to BirminghamLive, he said: “Today is everyone together having fun and making a statement about what Moseley means to people.
“It’s a very diverse community with a good sense of cohesion. We object to outsiders taking over the public realm by putting up flags the way its been done.
“It’s like they (Raise The Colours) are trying to impose a particular view of xenophobia and nationalism on our community.
Hundreds gathered in Moseley this afternoon as British flags were taken down from lampposts (Image: BirminghamLive)
“We’re just not having that. Everyone is welcome to put up flags in their home, but Raise The Colours has links to the English Defence League.
“They’re not doing it as an act of patriotism. They’re putting flags up as an act of provocation on a mixed community.”
Labour candidate for Moseley, Stephen Pihlaja praised the ‘beautiful and diverse’ area(Image: BirminghamLive)
Among those in attendance, Stephen Pihlaja, a Labour candidate for Moseley, spoke about the diverse strengths of the area.
Speaking to BirminghamLive, Stephen added: “Moseley’s a unique place, a beautiful and diverse village in the city with people from all backgrounds.
“I’m an immigrant from the United States and love this country. I worked hard to become a citizen and love the flag, I used to have a Union Jack up in my dorm room at university.
“The real problem with flags is putting it on public property without permission. Moseley should decide what it wants on its lamposts without people from outside the area doing it.
“Almost all political parties have come together today to show that the flags going up is not okay in Moseley.”
The people behind Raise The Colours say their patriotic message is one of unity. Its website states: “We believe patriotism should be visible, positive and inclusive.
“Our flags are not about division — they are about belonging, togetherness, and celebrating the identity we hold in common. By raising the colours, we raise a message of unity and determination that can be seen on every street.”
– Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp
– We are now on WhatsApp. Join our dedicated community here