The Z in resistance
From One Piece flags to Hunger Games salutes, Indonesia’s Gen Z is ditching tired tropes and rewriting the playbook of street resistance in a language entirely their own.
Indonesia's Generation Z is crafting a fresh approach to street resistance, moving beyond tired clichés and redefining the art of dissent in a style wholly their own. When political or economic turmoil strikes, whether in democracies or authoritarian regimes, university campuses are often the first to take to the streets. In recent weeks, that has been the case once again, as students returned to protest President Prabowo Subianto's administration.
They targeted the ongoing forest and peatland fires ravaging parts of Kalimantan, Sumatra, and Papua, as well as the government's fixation on pet projects. With these issues left unaddressed, the demonstrators questioned why billions of rupiah continue to be funneled into initiatives like free meal schemes and village cooperatives.
This demonstration on Youth Pledge Day, October 28, served as a stark reminder that young Indonesians have never been idle when it comes to holding the state accountable. This tradition dates back to 1928, when young visionaries declared the Youth Pledge, laying the groundwork for the Indonesian nation. Seven decades later, student activists played a pivotal role in toppling the New Order regime in 1998, ushering in the Reform Era.
Today, a new generation is rising to the challenge: Generation Z, individuals born between the late 1990s and early 2010s. Raised with smartphones and algorithms, this group is often maligned through outdated stereotypes about short attention spans and a shallow mindset. However, their digital savviness provides them with a distinct advantage.
They navigate political dissent on their own terms, incorporating pop-culture references and viral imagery into their protests. This was evident during the 2025 protests, where demonstrators displayed the Straw Hat Pirates' Jolly Roger from the manga series One Piece, a symbol of rebellion against corrupt rulers that resonated across borders, from Nepal to France.
The same spirit was present in recent Youth Pledge rallies, where students flashed the iconic three-finger salute from The Hunger Games, echoing the story of teenagers standing up against an authoritarian regime. While this gesture has already gained traction in pro-democracy movements across Asia, it held particular significance for Indonesian Gen Z, who grew up watching the film adaptations.
Written by urgent.news from The Jakarta Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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- The Z in resistance thejakartapost.com
