A row has broken out over Welsh flags being tied to lampposts in Wrexham, with campaigners opposing their display claiming they are fuelling racism and intended to 'put fear into the heart of minority communities'.
Formal complaint lodged
Arfon Jones, formerly Plaid Cymru police and crime commissioner for north Wales, lodged a formal complaint with Wrexham council calling for flags and banners to be removed from lampposts in the city centre. He claimed they were causing 'fear and intimidation' to thousands.
In his letter to the council – which did not put up the flags – Mr Jones said they could also be a 'distraction and a danger' to drivers, North Wales Live reports.
His letter was followed by a petition calling for the 'illegally placed banners' to be removed. Launched three weeks ago by a campaign called Lower The Flags Wrexham, it railed against the 'blatant misuse' of public space by allowing 'symbols of division'. It has been signed by 400 people.
Patriotism or division?
Some responded with online posts arguing Welsh Dragon displays are merely a show of patriotism. The national flag of Wales should not be considered a hate symbol, they said.
Critics claim 'flag signalling' in Wrexham has risen since plans to house up to 70 asylum seekers in the village of Rhosllanerchrugog sparked a backlash in January. The proposal for the former Plas yn Rhos care home was ultimately dropped but some feel the sentiments it sparked have persisted.
Mr Jones, who lives in Wrexham and supports Welsh independence, believes 'hanging flags on lampposts is about racism'.
Council accused of complicity
He said the council had made itself 'complicit' by not removing them. Recently his stance was supported by another Wrexham resident, Mozambique-born Iolanda Banu Viegas, who called for firmer leadership from the police and local politicians.
On social media, Ms Viegas said immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers were suffering anxiety and feeling intimidated by 'being surrounded by flags and symbols designed to make you feel unwelcome'.
Ms Viegas is the north Wales hate crime officer for Race Council Cymru. She has lived in Wrexham for 25 years and believes important local issues are being 'drowned out by hate'.
She added: 'It is heartbreaking, exhausting, and terrifying to feel unsafe in your own skin.'
Mr Jones accused the council of failing in its duty under the Equalities Act to safeguard vulnerable communities. By failing to remove Welsh flags it was 'effectively prioritising the rights of those instigating intimidation', he claimed.
Council response
The council said Mr Jones' complaint sparked an internal investigation and, although the issue remained under 'active review', it would not proactively remove flags unless they were seen to be causing an obstruction or posing a risk.
It stressed it 'does not condone any form of hate towards any individual or group' and confirmed area supervisors had been briefed to keep an eye on roadsides.
The council’s chief officer for governance, Linda Roberts, said: 'Where concerns are raised, they are neither dismissed nor minimised. As part of the ongoing review, where there is evidence that the installation of flags is contributing to feelings of intimidation or fear, the council will consider what actions may be required to support those affected. Dialogue with community representatives and relevant agencies has taken place and will continue, ensuring that concerns are captured and that appropriate action can be taken where necessary.'
Mr Jones labelled the council’s response a 'whitewash'.
