Poppies should be defended from groups using it to stoke division, councillors have heard after some were put on York lampposts in recent weeks.
York resident Ms Disley told councillors groups behind efforts to display national flags around the city had changed tack and were attempting claim the remembrance symbol for their own ends.
A spokesperson for the Royal British Legion told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) they did not condone the use of the poppy in support of any political agenda.
York Flaggers and Litter Pickers, one of the groups behind the flag campaign, said on Facebook they had put the poppies up to support veterans.
It comes after City of York Council’s Labour leader Cllr Claire Douglas said the city was standing up to attempts to sow division and discord and the removal of illegally-displayed flags remains ongoing.
Ms Disley told Thursday’s meeting the campaigns led by groups including Flag Force UK had left international students, visitors and some life-long residents feeling unsafe to go out at night.
She added they were now trying to use the poppy as a weapon to intimidate people.
Ms Disley said: “These groups are misusing the remembrance symbol and placing cheap plastic poppies on lamp posts.
“The poppy is a symbol of all those who gave their lives, not just white British servicemen but the millions of soldiers from every background who stood together in defence of freedom including black and asian veterans.
“We must reclaim and defend poppies, we can’t stand idly by and watch our symbols be denigrated lest they’re lost forever.”
The Royal British Legion’s spokesperson told LDRS the poppy was a symbol of remembrance and of hope for a peaceful future.
The spokesperson said: “Remembrance is a time for the nation to come together to honour those who serve to defend our democratic freedoms.
“It is worn to honour the service and sacrifice of the Armed Forces community, it belongs to no political, religious, or ideological group, and we do not condone the use of the poppy in support of any political agenda.
“We issued guidance to our volunteers before the Poppy Appeal started to be vigilant and maintain neutrality in all activity connected to Remembrance.”
A Flag Force spokesperson previously told LDRS they deplored racist incidents and claims of intimidation were anecdotal.
The spokesperson added their supporters were tired of being called racist for wanting to fly national flags in their own city.
