Ryan Bridge, the founder of the activist group Raise the Colours, has been charged with 14 offenses, including racially aggravated harassment, threatening behavior, and assault. The group has been placing Union Jack and St George's Cross flags on lampposts across the Midlands and southern England since last summer.
Thames Valley Police announced that Bridge, 45, of Blackwell, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, faces the charges stemming from a two-month period earlier this year in Oxfordshire. He is scheduled to appear at Oxford Magistrates' Court on November 3.
The charges include seven counts of using threatening words or behavior to cause harassment, alarm, or distress; three counts of using threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behavior with intent to cause fear of, or provoke, unlawful violence; two counts of racially aggravated intentional harassment, alarm, or distress; one count of racially aggravated fear of violence; and one count of common assault.
In July, Oxfordshire County Council obtained a High Court injunction to prevent the placement of flags near highways due to safety concerns, trespass, and obstruction. Birmingham City Council has also applied for a similar injunction, which is set to be heard at the High Court on Tuesday.