Unknown vandals cut down a Somali flag in Niagara Square, Buffalo, late on Wednesday night. The removal came one day after city officials canceled the city's Fourth of July fireworks display. Buffalo Police are investigating the incident.
Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan described the perpetrators as “unknown vandals” and confirmed that the Buffalo Police Department is looking into the matter. The Somali flag had been raised in the square on July 1 for the past four years to mark Somali Independence Day.
Ryan said the city remains committed to honoring diverse cultures. He had announced plans in early June to revive a downtown fireworks show for America’s 250th anniversary but later stated that no suitable site could be found.
The decision to cancel the fireworks while raising the Somali flag drew criticism from Erie County GOP Chairman Michael Kracker, who noted that Buffalo was one of the few Western New York cities without a public July 4 celebration. Columbus, Ohio, also planned a similar flag raising on July 1.
