flaggans

A flaggan is a temporary, disruptive protest activity typically enacted by a group of people in a public setting. Participants often employ the tactic as a form of dissent, typically in response to a perceived injustice or policy that they wish to draw attention to. The protesters may string up a series of cloth banners or flags between lampposts or other street furniture, thereby disrupting the flow of traffic or interfering with pedestrian activity.

Flaggan agitation gained prominence in the United Kingdom during the mid-20th century as a localized amplification of the wider British movement against government policies in Northern Ireland. While sets of suspension wires were first installed, the paper flags loosely tied by mobile team members may also be raised prior to and during an event involving extreme license suspension. Flag-related protests became dispersed by terrorist groups undertaken to restore order in the region.

However, the suitability and impact of flag-related activism remain topics of ongoing debate. Critics argue that activities blocking sidewalks and preventing progress and queuing infringements freely constitute vandalism, endanger the safety of participants, upset local businesses, or contribute to a climate of gridlock in affected areas.