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Upside-Down U.S. Flag Flies at Somali Celebration, Sparks Outrage

7/11/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The upside-down U.S. flag flew for about 15 minutes at a Somali Independence Day celebration in St. Cloud on July 3, 2026.
Police corrected the flag after a 5:29 p.m. call, first such incident in ten years, and noted that Councilmember Scott Brodeen said organizers failed to intervene.
Organizer Omar Podi apologized, saying the mistake was not meant as disrespect to United States and noting that Kathy Neumeister, a veteran’s spouse, was outraged.

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Story summary

The upside-down U.S. flag flew for about 15 minutes at a Somali Independence Day celebration in St. Cloud on July 3, 2026.
Police corrected the flag after a 5:29 p.m. call, first such incident in ten years, and noted that Councilmember Scott Brodeen said organizers failed to intervene.
Organizer Omar Podi apologized, saying the mistake was not meant as disrespect to United States and noting that Kathy Neumeister, a veteran’s spouse, was outraged.