Uproar as council bans union flag exhibition over fears it could offend minorities

A ‘woke’ council canceled an exhibition featuring the redesigned union flag after minority concerns were voiced.

Artist Gil Mualem-Doron’s New Union Flag was created using fabrics from a wide range of ethnic communities to celebrate Britain’s diversity.

Following successful exhibitions at Tate Modern, Southbank Center and Liverpool Museum, the work was due to be exhibited at a library in Brighton.

However, the council decided to cancel the exhibition after minority groups expressed fears that ‘the display of national flags could be taken out of their artistic context’.

Citizens accused the city council bosses of making a ‘political stance’ and described the municipality as a ‘ridiculous situation’.

A spokesperson for Stand Up to Racism said: ‘If a public library in a progressive city cannot host a flag celebrating diversity we should be concerned.

‘We all often remember that the greatest danger is not hatred but silence, fear and complicity.’

Saying that he tries to create art with social conscience, Dr. Mualem-Doron said: ‘Two years ago Brighton and Hove City Council commissioned a New Union Flag artwork at bus stops across the city for a city-wide public art initiative. Now the same city refuses to display it in its public library.’

Artist Gil Mualem-Doron (pictured) created the New Union Flag using fabrics from a wide range of ethnic communities to celebrate Britain’s diversity

Jonathan Dean, 55, said: ‘You couldn’t make it up to me. Absolute nonsense. The anti-racist flag was canceled because it was deemed racist. The Council has taken a turn in the right direction this time.

‘Flag exhibition celebrates diversity. Canceling shows you don’t believe his message.’

Femi Adebayo said: ‘I can’t believe Brighton and Hove Council used taxpayers’ money to commission this exhibition but then canceled it. How ridiculous.

‘It is a perfect irony that this artist’s work is too controversial to be exhibited in the city that wastes public money.’

Laura King said: ‘The council says they cannot display the exhibition in the main library due to public controversy and belatedly claims libraries should be ‘neutral spaces’.

‘So where was their impartiality when it came to deciding to spend taxpayers’ money tampering with our national flag?’

Felicity Rhodes said: ‘The problem with this decision is that I don’t think anyone believes ethnic minorities would actually be offended. This is just political posturing and a waste of our money.’

Another resident said: ‘You literally can’t do anything without someone getting offended. Now we are making decisions to cancel art exhibitions due to a crime that we think will happen in the future. ‘Is this the society we want to live in?’

The flag (pictured) has already been displayed at Tate Modern, Southbank Center and Liverpool Museum. It was to be exhibited in a library in Brighton

The exhibition was previously held at Brighton Museum and the flag was displayed on posters at bus stops across the city.

Council leader Bella Sankey said: ‘Our libraries have become known as Libraries of Refuge; This is something we are very proud of and keen to continue.

‘Given the fears that minority communities have expressed to me in recent weeks and months, there are certain concerns that the display of national flags could be taken out of their artistic context.

‘Customers who do not or cannot read the signs may view the drawings on the flags as a statement by the library and therefore the council.

‘As parliamentary buildings, our libraries need to remain a neutral and safe space for all our patrons.’