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Buffalo vandals steal Somali flag from City Hall pole - days after mayor canceled Fourth of July fireworks show

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A Somalian flag that was raised outside of Buffalo’s City Hall to
commemorate Somali Independence Day was stolen in an overnight heist,
the city’s leftist mayor decried. 

“The City of Buffalo’s flagpole in Niagara Square sustained damage after
unknown vandals broke the access panel, cut the cable, and removed the
Somali flag during the overnight hours of Wednesday, July 1,” Mayor Sean
Ryan wrote on Facebook. 

Ryan said the Buffalo Police Department was investigating the alleged
vandalism after the city approved non-profit HEAL International to raise
the white star, blue flag on July 1. 

“The flag had been raised by an organization called Heal International
in honor of Somalian Independence Day. Heal International has been
raising the Somali flag at Niagara Square for at least the last four
years,” Ryan said. 

The mayor’s office shared that the “public use” flagpoles have flown
banners of several countries over the years, including Ukraine, Greece,
Ireland, Puerto Rico, Italy and Bangladesh. 

It was not immediately known how much the vandalism to the city-owned
property cost. 

Two poles sit across the street from the eastern side of City Hall with
an American flag flying on one while the secondary pole is reserved for
other flags. 

Somali Bantu refugees have settled in Buffalo’s West Side since 2003,
according to the NYS Assembly. 

“Buffalo is a proud, diverse city, and our administration remains
committed to honoring and celebrating the many cultures that make our
community stronger,” Ryan wrote. 

The mayor, who previously served in the NYS Senate, has taken heat for
canceling a city-sponsored Fourth of July fireworks display — days
before the Somalian flag was raised. 

Ryan claimed plans to hold a large Independence Day celebration fell
through after the hired vendor “raised real questions” about the safety
of launching fireworks near City Hall, according to WGRZ. 

Former New York State Republican Party Chair, Rep. Nick Langworthy
ripped Ryan for the excuse. 

“Democrats are nominating anti-America socialist candidates across the
country–including right here in Buffalo,” Langworthy wrote on Facebook.
“The decision to cancel fireworks for our nation’s 250th birthday while
simultaneously raising the Somali flag has everything to with THAT and
nothing to do with logistics.” 

Other Buffalo residents called out Ryan’s leadership as an
“embarrassment.” 

“Mayor you are an embarrassment to the American people and to the
citizens of Buffalo,” one person wrote on Facebook. 

“No fireworks for our most significant birthday in our lives. Thanks!”
another wrote. 

Ryan later said the city didn’t want to hold fireworks on a barge on the
river because there was another display scheduled on a barge in August. 

 “I didn’t want to do them on the barge in the river because we’re
 already doing them August 2 on the barge in the river.” 

Buffalo is set to celebrate “Stars Stripes and Signers” at the Buffalo
Naval Park and Canalside area as part of ongoing America250
celebrations. 

https://nypost.com/2026/07/03/us-news/buffalo-vandals-steal-somali-flag-f
rom-city-hall-pole-days-after-mayor-canceled-fourth-of-july-fireworks-sho
w/ 

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