Campaign group 'takes full responsibility' for Edinburgh’s Palestine-Saltire flags
A ‘community led group of activists’ that is ‘committed to standing against racism and Islamophobia’ has said it is behind a recent campaign which involved attaching Palestine-Saltire flags to lampposts in Edinburgh.
Campaign group, United In Resistance, said they ‘take full responsibility for raising the solidarity Palestine Saltire flags in support of immigrants and in solidarity with the people of Palestine and all nations under attack during this time of mass suffering and genocide’.
In recent weeks a significant number of flags combining the Palestine and Saltire flags appeared in The Mound, London Road, Leith Walk and Broughton Street areas as well as near the Scottish Parliament. The council previously said the flags will be ‘removed in due course’.
The United In Resistance group added: “We are united in resistance against racism, Islamophobia, imperialism, Zionism and the political structures that enable injustice. We are united in resistance against oppression in all its forms. Our message is one of dignity, justice, and unwavering solidarity with all ethnicities and communities striving for freedom and equality.”
It comes after hundreds of people emailed the council, ward councillors and the media last week, expressing concerns about the flags which they said have ‘caused genuine distress in parts of our local community’.
In a bulk email campaign, residents said: “While it is essential to protect freedom of expression, using council-owned property is not an automatic right. Public infrastructure should not be repurposed to promote political messaging, particularly when such messaging is divisive and causes community distress.”
Earlier in the year, the council removed a number of Saltire and Lion Rampant flags attached to lampposts on Calder Road on September 12 after they emerged in the Sighthill area on September 9.
The emergence of national flags in Sighthill occurred after the ‘Operation Raise the Colours’ campaign in England that saw Union Jack and St George’s Cross flags attached to lampposts in recent months. This is thought to have inspired similar scenes across Scotland and seen anti-migration campaigners protest outside hotels housing asylum seekers.
Supporters of the movement claim the flags represent national pride but critics say the flags are being erected to intimidate ethnic minorities.
The City of Edinburgh Council has been approached for comment. Last week, a council spokesperson said: “Attachments to street furniture can only be made with the permission of the Council. These flags do not have such permission and will be removed in due course.”