The city of Columbus, Ohio, has been criticized online for its decision to raise the Somali flag at City Hall in celebration of Somali Independence Day. Columbus is home to a significant Somali community, one of the largest in the United States.
On Wednesday, the Columbus Rec & Parks department posted on X, commemorating the unification of the Trust Territory of Somaliland and the State of Somaliland into the Somali Republic in 1960. The post stated, “Happy Somali Independence Day! As we celebrate the unification of the Trust Territory of Somaliland and the State of Somaliland into the Somali Republic in 1960, City Hall will be raising the flag of Somalia.”
Conservatives quickly expressed their disapproval on social media. Questions arose about the city’s decision to focus on Somali independence, especially close to the 250th celebration of American independence. White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller commented, “Columbus, Ohio raising the flag of Somalia for America 250.”
The decision sparked debate with figures like journalist Mark Hemingway stating, “No American government building should ever be raising another country’s flag,” while attorney Mehek Cooke added, “City Hall is not a foreign embassy. As an Ohioan, I am repulsed by the anti-Americanism here.”
Brigitte Gabriel, founder of ACT for America, posted, “This is AMERICA, not Little Somalia. Flying the Somali flag at City Hall isn’t ‘celebration.’ It’s cultural surrender.” There were strong calls for the removal of the flag and criticism against the officials responsible.
Concerns about assimilation were voiced by Ohio Republican State Rep. Brian Stewart who posted that raising the Somali flag is “one more way in which we encourage the refusal to assimilate.” Brianna Lyman of the Federalist expressed a desire to see those who love their home country return.
Fox News Digital reached out for comments from the city of Columbus but has yet to receive a response. To stay informed, follow reporter Andrew Mark Miller on Twitter @andymarkmiller.