Story perspectives

Activist Ryan Bridge Charged With 14 Offences in Oxford

9/7/2026

Summary

Ryan Bridge Charged

Activist Ryan Bridge, founder of Raise the Colours, was charged with 14 offences, including racially aggravated harassment.
He will appear at Oxford Magistrates' Court on 3 November 2026.
Charges include seven threatening-word counts and three threatening-abusive-behaviour counts.
He also faces two racially aggravated harassment counts, one fear-of-violence count and one common assault.
Oxfordshire County Council secured a High Court injunction in July 2026 to halt flag placements near highways.

Summary

Farage Supports Bridge

Nigel Farage said Reform UK would provide legal assistance to Bridge at the conference.
Bridge attended the Reform UK event by purchasing a £650 commercial conference pass.
Anti-fascist group Hope Not Hate condemned Bridge’s presence as “genuinely shocking.”
Reform UK declined to comment when asked about Bridge’s attendance at the conference.

History

Historical Context

The Racial and Religious Hatred Act, passed in February 2006 and partially in force from 1 October 2007, criminalises threatening speech intended to stir up religious hatred. Under the Act Oxfordshire County Council secured a High Court injunction in July 2026 to stop twelve highway flag displays, and activist Ryan Bridge now faces fourteen offences while Nigel Farage offers £650 legal aid.

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Ryan Bridge Charged

Activist Ryan Bridge, founder of Raise the Colours, was charged with 14 offences, including racially aggravated harassment.
He will appear at Oxford Magistrates' Court on 3 November 2026.
Charges include seven threatening-word counts and three threatening-abusive-behaviour counts.
He also faces two racially aggravated harassment counts, one fear-of-violence count and one common assault.
Oxfordshire County Council secured a High Court injunction in July 2026 to halt flag placements near highways.

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