A Somali flag, raised at Buffalo City Hall to honor Somali Independence Day, was stolen in an overnight incident on Wednesday, July 1. Mayor Sean Ryan announced the theft, stating that vandals accessed the flagpole by breaking an access panel, cutting the cable, and removing the flag.
The Buffalo Police Department is investigating the incident. The flag had been raised annually by the non-profit organization HEAL International for at least the past four years to commemorate Somali Independence Day.
The city has a history of flying flags of various nations at Niagara Square, including those of Ukraine, Greece, Ireland, Puerto Rico, Italy, and Bangladesh. Buffalo has been a destination for Somali Bantu refugees since 2003.
The theft occurred days after Mayor Ryan canceled the city-sponsored Fourth of July fireworks display. Ryan cited safety concerns raised by the hired vendor regarding launching fireworks near City Hall as the reason for the cancellation. He later stated that the city opted against using a barge on the river, as fireworks were already scheduled for a barge on August 2 as part of ongoing America250 celebrations.
Former New York State Republican Party Chair Nick Langworthy criticized Ryan's decision, suggesting it was politically motivated. He stated, "The decision to cancel fireworks for our nation’s 250th birthday while simultaneously raising the Somali flag has everything to do with THAT and nothing to do with logistics." Other Buffalo residents also expressed dissatisfaction with the mayor's leadership and the fireworks cancellation.