Thousands of people have rallied in Banda Aceh to support the adoption of the flag of the now defunct Free Aceh Movement (GAM) as the official flag of the Indonesian province.
The Indonesian government is opposing the flag, which is prohibited, and has given local authorities seven days to change it.
Aceh Governor Zaini Abdullah, a former GAM commander, defended the adoption of the flag, saying that it “is a manifestation of the people of Aceh’s cultural struggle. This [adoption] is what Aceh desires.”
“The flag represents Aceh’s pride. This is what we want. We can’t wait to wave the Aceh flag,” a protestor said.