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[Fedster + 1,307]

The flag represents 'peace, tolerance and solidarity between all communities', says PCC.

The flag flying outside Bridlington Police Station (Photo: @HP_BridDrifHorn via Twitter)

 

"Morons" pulled down a rainbow flag from outside a police station then sent hate mail boasting about it.

Humberside Police is investigating the incident which took place at Bridlington Police station. "Disturbing" emails were then sent to the chief constable, police and crime commissioner, local MPs and others.

This summer was the first time Humberside Police had flown the rainbow flag - a symbol of pride and diversity - from buildings across the force area.

A group calling themselves Men of Bridlington claim to have removed the flag.

Chair of the Hull and East Riding LGBT Forum, Andy Train, received an abusive email in the early hours of Sunday. He said: "I spoke to Humberside Police and straight away they said it is a hate crime and that I was not to forward it.

"It's shocking. It's as if you had some bigot from the 1950s and planted them in Bridlington.

"I suspect the person that did this has a lot of personal issues."

Police and Crime Commissioner Keith Hunter said: “I was disturbed at the content of the email received by my office over the weekend. I’m extremely disappointed that the morons who write such rubbish would actually do something like cut down a flag which represents peace, tolerance and solidarity between all communities.

“This is something I take seriously because in 2018 we still have people who are targeted purely because of who they are, and Pride is about saying that simply isn’t acceptable, yet we get people who hold these views which are on the extreme of reality and they take it out on others.

“We have received so many positive comments from the LGBT community about how supportive Humberside Police and the office of the police and crime commissioner are, so it’s important for us to state that this kind of behaviour is completely unacceptable and I hope the persons responsible are held accountable."

He added: “People who hold such hateful views as expressed in this email are on the extremes of society and they should be confronted and told this is unacceptable. Some people will come back and talk about freedom of speech so let me be clear on one thing, freedom of speech does not mean freedom to hate.”

Detective Chief Inspector Matthew Peach said: “We are treating these malicious emails as a hate crime. Everyone has the right to be safe and secure and to live free from fear or harassment. Hate incidents or crimes are based on ignorance, prejudice, discrimination and hate and have no place in our society."

A force spokesman says the flag has now been recovered, but as the rest of the flags at the other stations were due to come down anyway, it will not be replacing it.

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[David + 4,981]

Whilst I disagree with the flag being torn down, I do question why it was felt it needed to be flown in the first place.

[Radman + 2,163]

12 hours ago, David said:

Whilst I disagree with the flag being torn down, I do question why it was felt it needed to be flown in the first place.

I'm of a similar opinion but can understand that the police are seemingly trying to repair bridges with the LGBT community over historical wrongs that were committed when homosexuality was illegal in Britain... That has always been my take on our PR need to fly certain flags and become involved in events etc.

That being said I do take exception with this opening line:

The flag represents 'peace, tolerance and solidarity between all communities'

I think I can come up with a flag that is far more inclusive and already does all those things within our community, one that represents us all no matter what background, race, sexuality or gender a person so happens to be... 

Edited August 1, 2018 by Radman

[Reasonable Man + 1,231]

I think I can come up with a flag that is far more inclusive and already does all those things within our community, one that represents us all no matter what background, race, sexuality or gender a person so happens to be... 

Seriously? The media is covered with stories about the ‘will of the people’ and the 17.4 million acting under this flag, indeed using at as their symbol, who certainly don’t want to be inclusive with people of certain backgrounds and races.

[Radman + 2,163]

7 minutes ago, Reasonable Man said:

Seriously? The media is covered with stories about the ‘will of the people’ and the 17.4 million acting under this flag, indeed using at as their symbol, who certainly don’t want to be inclusive with people of certain backgrounds and races.

Yeah I am being serious.

This flag represents our nation, it represents every single one of us - it is neutral to race, colour, religion, gender, sexuality etc. 

As a nation we have allowed the 'far right' to hijack our flag and many now see it as something to be ashamed of - it isn't - we need to own it and take it back as a symbol of:

Freedom

Justice

Impartiality 

Belonging 

etc.

It represents great things, fantastic values that I hold dear and that everyone within this nation should aspire to.

Edited August 1, 2018 by Radman

[Mac7 808]

Seriously? The media is covered with stories about the ‘will of the people’ and the 17.4 million acting under this flag, indeed using at as their symbol, who certainly don’t want to be inclusive with people of certain backgrounds and races.

It’s this kind of assumed opinion that stops people being proud of the Union Jack or St George’s Flag. We should all be proud of our flags and not have a tainted opinion of it by those who have associated it to groups of non popularist opinion In the past. In fact we should be standing up and vocal against such groups saying that our nations flags does no way represent what such groups spout about or campaign for.

I was recently in mainland Europe (hard to believe I know) but the local town were flying their national flag as well as local flags from historic buildings and other landmarks. I think it’s great to see as is the flying of flags on the mall or how patriotic the US are with the appearance of their flags on uniforms etc. Being proud of your country or patriotic does not equal racism. If a person has that opinion I suggest a redress of unconscious bias is required.

[Reasonable Man + 1,231]

I never said not to be proud of your flag or not to be patriotic. I said that the flag does not always represent the open, tolerant, multicultural society that it should.
Unless you think that the BNP and the like, to which the Union Flag has become a symbol, are tolerant etc.

[Zulu 22 + 4,571]

You would have to question the flying of the Rainbow flag at a Police Station. Have they ever given any concern to the large number of people who are offended by it. Also Police Officers marching in a Pride march. What would happen if they marched in a "St. Georges march, or any other"

As for the comment "I'm of a similar opinion but can understand that the police are seemingly trying to repair bridges with the LGBT community over historical wrongs that were committed when homosexuality was illegal in Britain.."  There is no wrong to corrected as the acts were illegal at the time. If we are to be tolerant, as some would put it, then what would be the reaction to flying flags of other minorities which would be found offensive to others, i.e. ISIS, the IRA, Russia, etc.

As for the statements regarding the misuse of the flag by the BNP EDL and the like. They would have no significance whatsoever if households across the country flew the Union Jack, just the same as every public building. We should be proud of that flag and show our contempt for those that misuse it.

[Radman + 2,163]

19 minutes ago, Reasonable Man said:

I never said not to be proud of your flag or not to be patriotic. I said that the flag does not always represent the open, tolerant, multicultural society that it should.
Unless you think that the BNP and the like, to which the Union Flag has become a symbol, are tolerant etc.

It isn't my flag - it is our flag Reasonable Man... It represents us all and the values we should all aspire towards 

As I stated to you the likes of the BNP do not represent that flag, they hijacked it.

I'll tell you the type of people who do represent it though: 

The Police represent that flag everytime we go out there, putting our necks on the line be it arresting a violent thug through to major incident.

The NHS Staff represent that flag when they bring someone back from the brink of death.

The Fire Service represent that flag when they run into a burning building saving the lives of those trapped inside 

Our armed forces represent that flag when they deliver aid and rescue people in far dire situations than I could ever hope to imagine. Or do what must be done to preserve our freedoms and way of life.

Not to mention the countless others who risk their lives and serve to protect people everyday not only across this nation of ours but abroad too, all doing so upholding the values and freedoms that flag stands for and represents.

I take great pride in the oath I took to serve this country and the flag that represents those ideals and ethics.

 

Edited August 1, 2018 by Radman

[Reasonable Man + 1,231]

It isn't my flag - it is our flag Reasonable Man... It represents us all and the values we should all aspire towards 
As I stated to you the likes of the BNP do not represent that flag, they hijacked it.
I'll tell you the type of people who do represent it though: 
The Police represent that flag everytime we go out there, putting our necks on the line be it arresting a violent thug through to major incident.
The NHS Staff represent that flag when they bring someone back from the brink of death.
The Fire Service represent that flag when they run into a burning building saving the lives of those trapped inside 
Our armed forces represent that flag when they deliver aid and rescue people in far dire situations than I could ever hope to imagine. Or do what must be done to preserve our freedoms and way of life.
Not to mention the countless others who risk their lives and serve to protect people everyday not only across this nation of ours but abroad too, all doing so upholding the values and freedoms that flag stands for and represents.
I take great pride in the oath I took to serve this country and the flag that represents those ideals and ethics.
 

I meant ‘your’ as in one’s flag, the flag of one’s nation. Not ‘your’ as in Radman’s flag.
I don’t disagree with any of your examples of who the flag represents. But you cannot ignore the fact that in certain cases, and not insignificant numbers, that flag has been misused/misrepresented to the point where it is not seen as being representative of everyone.
This is not people being over sensitive but a natural consequence that has happened elsewhere. An ancient symbol of divinity and spirituality became a symbol for something else and so is now banned in several countries.
Be proud of one’s national flag and fly it from the rooftops but in a fair minded and tolerant way be accepting of how some others may view it.

[Radman + 2,163]

18 minutes ago, Reasonable Man said:

I meant ‘your’ as in one’s flag, the flag of one’s nation. Not ‘your’ as in Radman’s flag.
I don’t disagree with any of your examples of who the flag represents. But you cannot ignore the fact that in certain cases, and not insignificant numbers, that flag has been misused/misrepresented to the point where it is not seen as being representative of everyone.
This is not people being over sensitive but a natural consequence that has happened elsewhere. An ancient symbol of divinity and spirituality became a symbol for something else and so is now banned in several countries.
Be proud of one’s national flag and fly it from the rooftops but in a fair minded and tolerant way be accepting of how some others may view it.

It is our nations flag, the fact that some horrid people have again hijacked it should be obvious that they do not represent it.

You took an oath in  a building flying that flag, the people who ignore the good and what that symbol represents are frankly being selectively biased in their interpretation of just what it represents.

The BNP do not represent this country nor have they ever represented this country, I think people need reminding of that.

[Mac7 808]

I meant ‘your’ as in one’s flag, the flag of one’s nation. Not ‘your’ as in Radman’s flag.

I don’t disagree with any of your examples of who the flag represents. But you cannot ignore the fact that in certain cases, and not insignificant numbers, that flag has been misused/misrepresented to the point where it is not seen as being representative of everyone.

This is not people being over sensitive but a natural consequence that has happened elsewhere. An ancient symbol of divinity and spirituality became a symbol for something else and so is now banned in several countries.

Be proud of one’s national flag and fly it from the rooftops but in a fair minded and tolerant way be accepting of how some others may view it.

 

 

It would appear that the views and opinions of those (inc the press) on the extreme left have left their intended mark on you. You’ve (unconsciously or otherwise) politicised the flag rather than seeing it what it truly is. Certain aspects of the press or society want you to see the St George’s flag and associate it to the BNP or EDL. Those people are in just as a much a minority as those who affiliate to the BNP/EDL. Persons or groups with extreme religious views have hi jacked flags in the past (and present) but their views in no way represent the true meaning of their religion.

 

I think it’s very dangerous to look at a symbol such as a flag and associate it with something political or those is have prejudice, racist or intolerant views. It’s s shame you or others can’t differentiate between the two.

[Reasonable Man + 1,231]

 
 
It would appear that the views and opinions of those (inc the press) on the extreme left have left their intended mark on you. You’ve (unconsciously or otherwise) politicised the flag rather than seeing it what it truly is. Certain aspects of the press or society want you to see the St George’s flag and associate it to the BNP or EDL. Those people are in just as a much a minority as those who affiliate to the BNP/EDL. Persons or groups with extreme religious views have hi jacked flags in the past (and present) but their views in no way represent the true meaning of their religion.
 
I think it’s very dangerous to look at a symbol such as a flag and associate it with something political or those is have prejudice, racist or intolerant views. It’s s shame you or others can’t differentiate between the two.

It would appear that you think everything I say must be my personal view. I am able to see things from others’ perspective and so be empathetic. Even if I don’t agree with their perspective.

[Zulu 22 + 4,571]

27 minutes ago, Reasonable Man said:

It would appear that you think everything I say must be my personal view. I am able to see things from others’ perspective and so be empathetic. Even if I don’t agree with their perspective.

Well it certainly came over as a personal viewpoint. Our Flag(s) were highjacked by a very small minority with perverse views who are not representative of our country. We should take back our flag(s) by flying them from every building that we can. That does not include flying minority flags from our buildings.

[Mac7 808]

It would appear that you think everything I say must be my personal view. I am able to see things from others’ perspective and so be empathetic. Even if I don’t agree with their perspective.

I can’t think many would want to see flag issues from the viewpoints of organisations such as the BNP, EDL, knights Templar etc or show them any degree of empathy.