© Anonymous
The 'Happy Brexit Day' poster
A racist ‘Brexit Day’ poster demanding that residents speak the “Queen’s English” has been posted on “every floor” of a Norwich tower block.
The poster, which had been put up in the communal areas of Winchester Tower block in Vauxhall Street, bears the title ‘Happy Brexit Day’.
One resident, who photographed the poster and reported it, said he had first noticed them early on Friday morning, before they were taken down by the block’s caretaker.
The poster celebrates the return of “our great country”, and goes onto explain “one rule that needs to be made clear” – speaking English within the tower.
What next for Brexit? Follow key developments, expert analysis and multiple perspectives
The anonymous author adds: “If you do want to speak whatever is the mother tongue of the country you came from then we suggest you return to that place and return your flat to the council so they can let British people live here and we can return to what was once normality before you infected this once great country.”
Gallery: Britain bids goodbye to the EU (Photos)
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The United Kingdom is now officially out of the European Union, three-and-a-half years after a referendum on membership of the bloc was unexpectedly won by the Leave side. The poll uncovered deep fault lines in British society, and subsequent arguments over when and how the U.K. should depart, if at all, caused political paralysis until a decisive victory by Boris Johnson in a general election called to resolve the deadlock last month. At 11 p.m. U.K. time (midnight European time) on Friday, Jan. 31, the country officially left, triggering celebrations and commiserations across the country and continent from those on each side of the Leave-Remain divide.
(Pictured) Brexit supporters gather during a rally in London, on Jan. 31.People wave flags as they celebrate Britain leaving the EU on Brexit day in London, on Jan. 31.
A woman waves a British flag in London, on Jan. 31.
Pro-Brexit demonstrators celebrate in London, on Jan. 31.
The Union flag is lowered and removed from outside of the European Parliament in Brussels, on Jan. 31.
A man holds a British flag while on the back of a motorbike in London, on Jan. 31.
A man wearing a pro-Brexit T-shirt is seen in London, on Jan. 31.
People place a banner on Westminster bridge, on Brexit day, in London, on Jan. 31.
European Union chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier arrives for a media conference in Brussels, on Jan. 31.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks as she participates in a media conference in Brussels on Jan. 31.
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon delivers a speech on Brexit day, in Edinburgh, Scotland, on Jan. 31.
British member of the European Parliament Jonathan Bullock (C) holds the Union Jack flag as he leaves the European Parliament, in Brussels on Jan. 31.
Anti-Brexit protesters holding an illuminating banner and flags demonstrate outside the Houses of Parliament in London, England, Jan. 30.
An anti-Brexit campaigner displays his 'Order of the Brexit Resistance' presented to him by a supporter, as he stands outside Parliament in London on Jan. 30.
Flag of Great Britain flies in front of the seat of the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium on Jan. 30.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrives at 10 Downing Street for talks focused on a post-Brexit free trade deal, in London, on Jan. 30.
The resident – who asked to remain anonymous – said the incident had been passed onto Norwich City Council, where it had been reported as a hate crime, and had also logged it with Norfolk Constabulary.
Both authorities have been contacted by HuffPost UK for a comment.
Emma Corlett, a Norfolk County Council councillor, confirmed she had been contacted by a resident with concerns about the poster, and said it had been passed on to the neighbourhood policing team.
The resident, who has lived in block for around six years, said the flats were largely populated by people aged fifty and above, and in recent years have become home to several eastern European families.
“It’s horrible, the block has always generally felt like a pretty friendly place,” the resident said, “But in recent years I’ve heard more racist things being said, I think people feel emboldened now.
“I’ve overheard people saying things like ‘it’s gotten worse since the eastern Europeans moved in’ and that sort of thing.
“It’s really worrying, because it feels like it’s only going to get worse as time goes on.”
© Anonymous
The 'Happy Brexit Day' poster
A picture of the poster was reposted online publicly by another Twitter user, where, with the official moment of the UK’s departure from the EU just hours past, it was met with horror.
“It’s scary knowing that people feel emboldened to say this kind of thing openly, knowing it’s going it’s going to be seen by some of the European residents who live here,” the resident said.
“As soon as I reported it the council took it really seriously and told me it had been reported as a hate crime.
“I’ve seen a lot of responses to the tweet picking at the grammar, calling them ‘thick’ or whatever, but it’s not about that – that’s not how we’re going to tackle this.
“You’re not going to win anyone over by correcting their spelling, there needs to be action and actual conversations going on.”