Rise of the Rebel Flock: The Symbols and Narratives That Build Rebellion

Abstract

Abstract Symbols and messages from Star Wars have been a constant presence at US protests against rising authoritarianism. In Minneapolis, the Rebel Loon symbol merged the state’s bird with the Rebel Alliance emblem, leading the rise of a Rebel Flock composed of state, and national birds, merged with the Alliance Emblem. Shared on social media, and in real life, the Rebel Flock was just one way that people shared their concerns about authoritarianism and their intention to rebel. Beyond the US, pro-democracy protestors in Iran, Thailand, and Brazil shared excerpts from a key rebellion manifesto, recognizing their own struggles in the words from the Andor television show. This article examines the rise and diffusion of symbols and narratives from Andor as a way to understand the initial moments of building and sustaining a rebellion. It argues that Andor and Star Wars present a coherent set of goals and purposes, and that the fictional universe gives political cover to those trying to resist who also need to avoid government censorship. This article shows that the politics of rebellion and authoritarianism in Andor and Star Wars have insights for scholarship and for political science pedagogy.