WHAT'S HAPPENING?
Since September 25th, 'Raise the Colours', led by Ryan Bridge and Elliott Stanley, have driven into Stirchley to hang flags on local lampposts. They took this action without community consultation as part of a campaign they call 'The Battle of Stirchley', which they broadcast online for a profit.
When residents and workers objected, 'Raise the Colours' filmed them, verbally abused them and targeted them with online intimidation.
Despite strong local opposition - with residents removing the flags themselves - 'Raise the Colours' have been back every week. Since the flags first appeared, businesses that opposed the group have reported experiencing harassment by people wearing 'Union Flag' face masks, and local residents have experienced harassment at night.
On October 9th, they hung up flags bearing the image of Remembrance poppies. The Royal British Legion has distanced themselves from flag raising groups.
WHO IS 'RAISE THE COLOURS'?
Raise the Colours is an organisation linked to far-right extremist networks, including Tommy Robinson(aka Stephen Yaxley-Lennon) and Britain First's Andrew Currien (AKA Andy Saxon), formerly of the English Defence League (EDL) and convicted for his part in a racially-motivated murder clique to have founded the movement. A rise in racist attacks, including the horrific sexual assault of a woman in Oldbury, has followed the 'flag' campaign.
Raise the Colours 'directors' Ryan Bridge and Elliott Stanley have their own concerning histories.
Bridge faces investigation for fraud, while failed sex doll entrepreneur Stanley spent the summer harassing people in the asylum system before returning to his £600K home in Bromsgrove.
NEITHER OF THEM LIVE IN STIRCHLEY.