Posted on 08/06/2025 7:06:46 PM PDT by BenLurkin
In the popular Japanese anime One Piece, black flags bearing a skull with a straw hat are carried by a rowdy crew of pirates who have made it their mission to challenge a draconian regime and fight for freedom.
But in July, these emblems started popping up across Indonesia – along doorways, on the backs of cars, and painted on walls.
For many, it was a response to Indonesian leader Prabowo Subianto's call for Indonesians to fly their national red and white flag ahead of the country's Independence Day on 17 August.
Instead, many chose to raise these pirate flags - known as a Jolly Roger - as a symbol of their discontent, with many criticising what they say is an increasingly centralised government led by Prabowo.
But the movement has not been well received by all. Earlier last week, the country's Deputy House Speaker criticised the flag displays, calling it an "attempt to divide the nation". Another lawmaker even suggested it could be treason.
One Piece, was first published in 1997 as a manga by Eiichiro Oda, is one of the most popular franchises in the world. The manga has sold more than 520 million copies while the TV series has run for more than 1,100 episodes.
The series has a large and dedicated fan base in Indonesia, where Japanese anime is well loved.
In the same way the pirates in the series, led by their leader Monkey D Luffy, raise the Jolly Rogers as a symbol of freedom against their government, some Indonesian residents say raising the flag is a "symbol that we love this country, but don't completely agree with its policies".
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"Even though this country is officially independent, many of us have not truly experienced that freedom in our daily lives," he told BBC Indonesian.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...
This has the stench of the globalists about it.
Somebody’s trying to destabilize that government. I suspect the usual cabals of criminals who commonly convene with caviar and condescension.
Is this a reaction to the creeping enforcement of Sharia law in Indonesia?
Is this a reaction to the creeping enforcement of Sharia law in Indonesia?
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I hope it is. Living in Minneapolis, I should post these around here.
Pepe the Frog of the far east.
That would be when I would put my Jolly Roger flag up.
Sometimes you just have to spit on your hands, hoist the Jolley Roger, and man the cannons....
It looks more like a cute round headed panda wearing a checkered top and no pants, like Winnie the Pooh.
Dang it. Now I can't unsee that.
I like it, could use a red MAGA cap instead...
“Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.”
H.L Mencken
CC
Tally hoy lads!!!
“Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.”
I always word it as “commence to slitting throats”. That’s the pirate phrasing...
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