Ryan Bridge, founder of Raise the Colours, has responded to a Birmingham City Council injunction barring unauthorised flagging across the city. Speaking in a series of Facebook livestreams and in an interview with BirminghamLive, Bridge denied any wrongdoing. He maintained that his activities represent “ordinary Brummies’” views and alleged the injunction is part of a “left-wing conspiracy” aimed at silencing him for highlighting illegal immigration concerns.
Bridge referred to the council’s dossier of evidence and victim statements as “99 per cent lies” and confirmed his intention to challenge the injunction in court next week. He is one of seven individuals named as defendants in the council’s legal action seeking to prevent unauthorised placement of flags on lampposts, street furniture and other public property.
He has called on supporters for legal aid and financial backing, encouraging them to “raise the flags” in protest ahead of the court hearing. Now based in Bromsgrove, Bridge believes that most people in Birmingham support the flagging campaign, which he described as “bringing joy,” despite multiple allegations of harassment, intimidation and violence linked to members of Raise the Colours.
READ MORE: Look Back at Bullring’s Grand Opening as Shopping Centre Celebrates 23rd Birthday
READ MORE: Steve Irwin’s Final Moments Revealed by Lone Witness to Tragic Death
Describing himself as a “father, son, brother and friend,” Bridge affirmed his commitment to “saving our country, our history, our identity.” In a separate webstream, he revealed he has been ordered to report to Oxford police over harassment allegations related to flagging activities. Raise the Colours also faces a separate council injunction in Oxford.
Bridge faces a criminal charge of common assault from an incident in Brighton, which he denies, and has been questioned regarding a hit-and-run incident in Birmingham during a flagging operation. Organisations such as Hope Not Hate have criticised Bridge, calling him part of a group causing disruption in communities; he rejects such accusations.
The injunction documents cite numerous confrontations involving flaggers, which have strained council and police resources and caused fear among residents. Witness statements indicate Bridge often confronts those who oppose the flag displays or seek to remove them, sometimes using abusive language and close-range filming that he livestreams.
One incident mentioned involves a resident sustaining a broken leg in a hit-and-run involving a cherry picker, which is under police investigation.
Bridge told BirminghamLive he was “in shock” and “devastated” upon being served the injunction earlier this week. He criticised the evidence bundle, which includes statements from senior council officials, MPs, councillors and police, suggesting it reflects a “collaboration” between the council and police and represents “another failure of the government and councils.”
He also expressed frustration at having only hours to prepare a defence, while authorities spent months compiling the case. Bridge criticised the council’s allocation of resources, asserting that most Birmingham residents support the flagging campaign, while opposition mainly comes from a “liberal middle-class left” minority.
Denying accusations of racism-despite being called a Nazi and bigot-Bridge stated he is unfairly labelled for discussing immigration concerns. In a recent livestream, he responded aggressively, including using homophobic slurs, after a resident called him racist in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter. He has previously challenged what he terms “hurty words” accusations.
Bridge urged the political right to unite against the left, expressing concerns about the UK’s trajectory towards authoritarianism for those who speak out on migration. He confirmed the flagging operation aims to highlight the “stop the boats” issue, claiming that his previous filming of migrants in northern France pressured the government to act. He is banned from France and frequently faces border inquiries abroad.
The council’s court documents describe intervention as a “last resort” but necessary, noting some 20,000 flags flying in Birmingham and surrounding areas. Evidence includes video and images posted on social media allegedly showing abuse, threats, and intimidation by flaggers, posing public safety risks.
The legal issue centres on flaggers attaching flags to council property without permission since August 2025. Waqar Ahmed, Birmingham City Council’s Director of Community Safety, states that defendants have behaved aggressively, harassing local communities and causing disruption at all hours. They have confronted residents and council workers and engaged in behaviour deemed antisocial and dangerous, potentially violating the Highways Act 1980 and public nuisance laws.
The case is scheduled for a hearing before a High Court judge in Birmingham next Tuesday.