With Indonesia’s Independence Day drawing near, citizens are raising an unexpected symbol outside their homes—the skull and bones “Jolly Roger” flag from One Piece.
Known as one of the best-selling manga of all-time, Eichiro Oda’s One Piece is beloved among the anime and manga community because of its revolutionary themes defending the marginalized. Wherever the Straw Hat pirates were, you’re sure that they will fight to protect the people from anyone threatening their peace. And now that Indonesians have felt their own peace threatened in their homeland, citizens began using the Straw Hats’ flag as a sign of their dissent.
This movement started when truck drivers, who usually raised the Indonesian flag for Independence Day, instead raised the One Piece flag to show their discontent with the government’s new transportation reforms that they claimed overlooked working-class drivers. “This year, we felt deeply hurt and tired of being constantly belittled. The drivers’ children raised the One Piece flag as a symbol of resistance against arbitrary actions that discriminate against drivers,” Ika Rostianti, Chairwoman of the Indonesian Drivers’ Empowerment House (RBPI) said in an interview with NU Online Jakarta.
More incidents of using the flag also occurred during the “Dark Indonesia” protests by students and activists who opposed policies that cut spending for state-owned enterprises and support systems. While the symbol itself is fictional, the movement behind it is very real, showing the frustration of everyday citizens who feel left behind by their elected officials.
This repurposing of pop cultural symbols for protest is not an isolated incident, but a universal language that people from all over the world have at one point used as a visual shorthand to express their opposition and rebellion. From the three-fingered salute of Thai opponents of the military coup, to the Guy Fawkes masks used in protests around the world—pop culture has always been a powerful tool that anyone and everyone can rally behind in times of turmoil.
Conservative lawmaker, Firman Soebagyo, had a different opinion on the matter, saying in an interview with INP Polri that using the One Piece flag instead of the red and white flag to celebrate Indonesian Independence Day may be grounds for treason. While State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi opposed this view, saying in an interview with Nasional Kompas, “It is ok as a form of expression,” and that President Prabowo would not order any raids against those who join this flag-raising movement.
While authorities’ opinions are divided on the usage of the One Piece flag, it’s clear that it has become a way for Indonesians to have their voices heard, anywhere in the world. They may be facing an issue that is localized to their country, but the whole world knows to stop and listen when the Straw Hat pirates have raised their flag.