Flags have sprung up across England during a summer of heated debate about migration. Critics say they demonstrate anti-immigrant sentiment, while supporters say they're a display of patriotism.

London

National flags, including the St George's Cross and the Union Jack, have become more prominent along English streets during a period marked by heightened debate over migration. Supporters claim the flags represent national pride, while some residents express unease, particularly as immigration has become the leading concern among voters according to recent polling.

The increased display of flags has coincided with protests outside hotels sheltering asylum seekers and has received endorsement from figures such as Nigel Farage and Elon Musk. The use of flags in this context has historical associations with far-right groups, and recent protests were partly triggered by criminal allegations involving an asylum seeker. Social media misinformation has also contributed to tensions, with false claims circulating about attacks attributed to immigrants.

England flags proliferate amid anti-immigration protests

Flags have popped up along streets in England in recent weeks, during a politically charged summer dominated by the subject of migration. Both the red and white St George's Cross, like these seen on a London street, and the Union Jack have appeared. Supporters say they demonstrate national pride, rather than growing anti-immigration sentiment. That's as a tracker by polling company YouGov showed that since the end of June, immigration has overtaken the economy as voters' chief concern. London resident Shreya Joshi says the flags have made her uneasy. I mean, sure, I would like to understand the reason behind it, of course, but if it's a message to the immigrant community, anything of that sort, then it's not that pleasant. National flags often hang from public buildings in Britain, but it's rare for them to appear in the streets outside of sporting, royal or military events. They've coincided with a wave of protests in recent weeks, outside hotels sheltering asylum seekers. The display of flags has been endorsed by Nigel Farage, the former Brexit campaigner whose Reform UK tops opinion polls. US billionaire Elon Musk, who has promoted far-right politicians across Europe, also posted a picture of the English flag on his X platform on Tuesday. This London resident on the streets of Tower Hamlets, one of London's most diverse areas, gave his name only as Jason. I'll keep the comments very subtle because it can offend some people, but I think it's great. It's getting the community back, getting English culture back. It's what we need in the country. And I think that's all I should say, but yeah, leave it there. In the 1970s, the Union flag was adopted as a symbol by the far-right National Front Party, which openly promoted white supremacist views. The Cross of St George, the patron saint of England, was brandished by English soccer hooligans and extreme right-wing groups. The protests outside hotels housing asylum seekers in recent weeks were triggered in part after an Ethiopian asylum seeker staying in a hotel north of London was charged last month with sexual assault, which he denies. It follows a wave of riots last summer targeting asylum seekers and ethnic minorities after three young girls were murdered at a Taylor Swift-themed dance event. Social media posts falsely attributed that attack to a radical Islamist immigrant.

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