York traders are displaying the flags of all nations to show support to international students and visitors to the city.
And the businesses displaying the bunting are also offering themselves as a safe space to anyone who feels threatened.
It comes after an increase in reports of racial abuse and hate crimes in York.
The idea for the global bunting has come from Fly all the Nation’s Flags in York, previously known as the International Flagging Committee.
It had earlier responded to the number of St George’s and Union flags attached to lampposts around York by adding the flags of all other nations, “to show that we are inclusive and that we do respect other cultures”.
This new scheme comes as reports of racist abuse have gone up, which many put down to the atmosphere created by the England flags appearing across the city.
Isabella, a Phd student at University of York who’s one of the organisers of Fly All The Flags In York, said: “A lot of international students have been saying to us they don’t feel comfortable coming into town at the moment because of the racist attacks, and if they are coming into town, they’re not really sticking around.
“I’ve been told by some freshers that they’re they’re going home early because of what’s been going on. It’s concerning, the students don’t feel safe.
“So we’ve been going around handing out international bunting to the local businesses. That way we can say to students, if anything does happen in town, if anybody harasses you, or if you’re just looking for somewhere friendly to go, then you can look for the international bunting, and you can go into there.”
One of those who backed the idea is Hannah, owner of the gothic shop Nox on Goodramgate. She has flown the global bunting on the scaffolding outside her business.
She told YorkMix: “It’s really important to let people know that there are safe spaces available and that they are welcome here, especially the new students that have left their homes in search of better education.
“It’s really important for them to know that they can come and still feel safe.”
She said she felt York had regressed in recent weeks. “It feels like we’ve gone back sort of 100 years really.
“Even as someone that isn’t an immigrant, it’s difficult to watch and it’s difficult to know what to do to support people that need that support.”
But she felt that the great majority of people in the city are welcoming to all.
“We’re not actually York locals, and when we opened the shop, we were welcomed with open arms from the York community. We would like to pass that on.”
Isabella said more than 50 businesses have agreed to put up the bunting, with many indie traders on Fishergate and Goodramgate joining up.
If you’re a York business that would like to put up the global bunting, you can contact the organisers via their Fly All The Nation’s Flags In York Facebook page.
