PRO-INDEPENDENCE parties have reacted with outrage after a campaign organised by far-right agitators has led to the Saltire being co-opted in an anti-immigrant push.
Union Jacks and St George's Cross flags have appeared on lampposts in England and other parts of the UK in recent weeks, as part of a campaign called 'Operation Raise the Colours'.
Hope Not Hate revealed that one of the co-founders of the campaign, Andrew Currien (aka Andy Saxon), is an ally of Tommy Robinson and was previously jailed for his part in a racist death in 2009.
And now, Saltire flags have been spotted appearing attached to lampposts in Glasgow, which are understood to be part of the far-right-backed campaign.
The SNP said that using the Saltire in this way does not “represent Scottish interests or values”.
Facebook page No1seemstocare has shared numerous videos of saltires lining the streets in several parts of Maryhill.
One source told The National: “Maryhill has many vulnerable migrant and asylum seeker families in the community and I'm horrified at what this means for them.”
And, Nuzhat Uthmani, a teacher and educator from Glasgow, said she was “upset” that “this issue has come so close to home”.
Uthmani, who lives in the southside of Glasgow, said she saw Saltire flags attached to lampposts over the weekend, and she was concerned that locals are falling for “propaganda and disinformation” in a multicultural part of the city.
Speaking to The National, she said she had serious concerns about the “weaponisation” of the Saltire.
“It's ironic as many unionists who fly the Union Jack regularly would loathe flying the Saltire as they associate it with independence, yet they are now turning to using [it] as a tool to promote their toxic white nationalism,” Uthmani said.
A spokesperson for the SNP said: “Anyone using the Saltire to promote hate and prejudice does not represent Scottish interests or values.
“Scotland is a proudly diverse nation and we welcome the positive contribution made by immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees.
“There is no place in Scotland for the hateful rhetoric we have seen spread in recent weeks by the far-right.”
Scottish Greens Co-Leader Ross Greer said: “Scotland is a welcoming country, proud to support vulnerable people in their time of need.
“That's what the saltire symbolises. Importing this toxic, racist rhetoric from England won't fix the real problems affecting ordinary Scots.”
He added: “Scotland’s flag isn't a symbol of hate or racism. It represents our shared hope for a better future for everyone who lives here, regardless of where they came from.”
A spokesperson for Alba said: "It’s sad to see Saltires co-opted by anti-immigration protestors as seen at various events over recent weeks, even if there are many more Union Jacks.
"The legitimate concerns of working class communities with regards to the intolerable pressures on housing and vital public amenities such as education and health services arising from immigration are being hijacked by far right extremists many of them travelling from outside of the communities affected.
“The positive case for immigration must continue to be made but it has to be managed fairly to ensure community cohesion. As Alex Salmond once said on immigration, ‘there are many different colours and threads woven into the Scottish tartan and we celebrate them all’.”
It comes after protests outside of hotels housing asylum seekers in Falkirk, Aberdeen and Perth in recent weeks.
We told how extremist groups attended these protests with prominent figures from the far-right giving speeches.
And now, social media videos of saltires attached to lampposts in Balmore Road, Sandbank Street, Shiskine Drive and Maryhill Road have gathered tens of thousands of views. Two out of five videos on the page have gathered around 150,000 views each.
While the No1seemstocare page, which usually posts community notices and callouts for information, does not allude to the meaning behind the flags, the comments section of each video is filled with anti-immigrant sentiment.
Others appear to be confused as to whether this is in support of Scottish independence, or part of ‘Operation Raise the Colours’.
One user said: “Love it, raise the colours. Absolutely nothing to do with independence and everything to do with the people telling our government that enough is enough.”
In response to someone asking for an explanation behind the flags, another said: “Sending a message out to remind lefties/government this is Scotland and not a cess pit for young unvetted adult males to come in illegally. More and more people are starting to wake up and only a matter of time before people come together and take action because at present governments are bending backwards for fake asylum seekers whilst its own people are left struggling.”
However, not all social media users were pleased with the saltire being co-opted and the message being sent.
“It's unfortunately anti-immigrant and I'm disappointed that this page is skirting around that fact,” one said. “'Raise the flag' down south has started with the far right, alongside their hotel protests, and now it's starting up here. It's f all to do with being a signal to politicians and everything to do with people's ignorance and misunderstanding of asylum seekers.”
Another said it was a clear act of “hate and division”, adding: “I believe the main idea behind it is to intimidate immigrants and refugees and make them feel as though they are not welcome.”
