A social media post from an American Recreation and Parks Department celebrating Somali Independence Day has ignited fierce criticism from conservative figures across the United States.
The parks department in Columbus, Ohio published a message wishing followers a "Happy Somali Independence Day" and announcing the Somali flag would be hoisted above City Hall.
The post said: "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."
The announcement spread rapidly across social media, drawing condemnation from prominent right-wing voices who questioned why an American government building would display a foreign nation's flag.
Columbus is home to one of the largest Somali communities in the United States, with the state of Ohio ranking second only to Minnesota for Somali immigrant populations.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller drew attention to the post, writing on X: "Columbus, Ohio, raising the flag of Somalia for America 250."
Republican Senator Bernie Moreno of Ohio was equally scathing in his response, describing the city's actions as wholly inappropriate given the timing.
He said: "There is only one nation's flag that should ever be flown on American government buildings or property. This action by Columbus is a total disgrace and takes away from the epic celebration on Saturday of this country's 250-year celebration."
The criticism gained momentum as the post coincided with preparations for America's semiquincentennial celebrations, with the nation's 250th birthday falling on Saturday.
Journalist Mark Hemingway added his voice to the chorus of disapproval, posting: "No American government building should ever be raising another country's flag. Ugh."
Attorney and political commentator Mehek Cooke expressed her dismay as an Ohio resident, adding: "City Hall is not a foreign embassy. As an Ohioan, I am repulsed by the anti-Americanism here.
"Our leaders treat foreign nationalism as sacred while treating American patriotism as controversial. America's public buildings should honour America."
ACT for America founder Brigitte Gabriel issued one of the most forceful condemnations, posting: "This is AMERICA, not Little Somalia.
"Flying the Somali flag at City Hall isn't 'celebration.' It's cultural surrender. Other nations aren't parallel cultures here to dominate ours. Remove that flag. Remove the officials who demand it."
Daily Wire commentator Luke Rosiak, who has covered fraud allegations within Columbus's Somali community, responded simply: "Excuse me?"
Ohio Republican State Representative Brian Stewart argued the gesture discouraged integration, posting: "One more way in which we encourage the refusal to assimilate."
Columbus officials subsequently issued a statement distancing themselves from the announcement, describing it as erroneous.
"A social media post created by a city department falsely stated that City Hall would raise the Somalian flag in recognition of Somali Independence Day," the city spokesman said.
"While the City recognizes and respects the aspirations of people around the world to live in freedom, this post was inaccurate and has been deleted."
Estimates suggest approximately 10,000 Somali residents live in Ohio, although Democratic State Senator Hearcel Craig has indicated the actual figure could be considerably higher, potentially reaching between 60,000 and 70,000 people.
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