‘Two Nations. One Cause.’ How Palestine-Scotland flags are waging war against the city’s far-right, anti-immigrant presence.
Palestine-Scotland flags have begun appearing throughout Glasgow, spotted across the West End and Southside. The organisation United in Resistance is behind the distribution of these flags, the website describing them as ‘symbolising unity in the face of oppression’.
In the aftermath of the anti-immigrant protest that took place in Glasgow in September, many of the city’s inhabitants are searching for new ways to display support for immigrants.
The emergence of Palestine-Scotland flags is a direct response to the Raise the Colours movement, which promotes the display of Union Jack flags: an effort to ‘symbolise our shared heritage’. But as ‘inclusive’ as the movement claims to be, these flags have become a sign of anti-immigrant patriotism, a way to propagate British nationalism.
Raise the Colours’ website exhibits a series of photographs of men raising English and British flags, one banner reading ‘Stop the boats’. The organisation HOPE led an investigation in August, revealing that co-founder and organiser Andrew Currien was involved in the English Defence League, an Islamophobic movement. Currie was imprisoned for his complicity in the racially motivated death of a fifty-nine year old man, crushed to death by a car, back in 2009.
This movement, though rooted in English patriotism, has spread to Scotland, encouraging the display of the saltire. However, what used to be a sign of support for independence has spiralled into a show of intolerance. I reminisce on days when I smiled at a Scottish flag sticker shown in the windows of homes, a small encouragement to vote ‘yes’ in the referendum. Now, I see Scottish flags everywhere and anxiously wonder if they’re placed there to rally the growing feeling of racist hate.
Reactions to the Palestine-Scotland flags have been mixed, with GB News reporting ‘outrage’ over the new flags. GB News took to Govanhill to interview passersby on their opinions of the flags, one saying: ‘The problems are over there, it’s not here. I think we should keep it that way.’
Reports claim that many of these flags have been torn down by residents, with an increase in Scottish flags being witnessed in response.
Greater Govanhill, however, has denounced this reporting, arguing that ‘three people weren’t quite reflective enough of the whole community’. The news outlet went on to publish comments taken from their social media posts, most expressing praise for the flags. One user wrote: ‘So refreshing after far-right hateful flag nonsense’.
United in Resistance is not the only organisation promoting tolerance and support for immigrants in Glasgow: Safe With Me also launched in September of this year. This initiative, created by Refuweegee, encourages businesses to register themselves as a safe space ‘in these rising times of hate’ and display their posters. It appears to be gaining popularity: just a week ago, while painting pottery at The Craft, I saw a plate decorated with the initiative’s slogan.
Glasgow is a city built off of immigration, its industrialisation not having been possible without the labour of Irish workers who arrived following the Potato Famine, as well as Pakistani immigrants who worked heavily in the transport sector. In the 2022 census, it was reported that 19% of its inhabitants are from an ethnic minority, the highest percentage in Scotland. Without its immigrants, and descendants of immigrants, Glasgow would be significantly less culturally, industrially, and socially vibrant.
Glasgow has a complex history of protecting its immigrant inhabitants. In May 2021, hundreds of peaceful protestors in Pollokshields surrounded an immigration van attempting to detain two Indian immigrants on the day of Eid, interrupting their prayers. One man went as far to climb underneath the van, preventing it from leaving with the two men. Lakhvir Singh, who had been in the UK for ten years, thanked protestors who had bravely argued that ‘these are our neighbours’. The climate for immigrants has undeniably worsened since 2021, but these stories are evidence of the hope and community that resides in Glasgow.
United in Resistance’s flags have been predominantly seen in Glasgow’s most affluent areas, like Byres Road. However, I attribute this more to the cost of purchasing a flag, at £15 for one, than I do claims of empty symbolism.
It’s debatable that these flags will genuinely inspire political resistance, but at a minimum their presence is counter-acting the anti-immigrant environment, making immigrants in the city feel safer.
The city’s inclusion of immigrants continues to exceed the far-right movement, as demonstrated by September’s counter-protest presence, the Safe With Me initiative, and Palestine-Scotland flags. A city built and shaped by the experiences of immigrants, and enriched by the diversity of cultures, perseveres in protecting its own.
Symbolism is never entirely empty: the Palestine-Scotland flags provide a statement that hatred has no place here.
Grace Hussey (she/her, @gracehusseyy)
qmunicatemagazine.co.uk 