citizens, and anti-vaccine mandate and related protests have adopted the Australian Red Ensign for their own purposes. These groups have not obtained permission to fly the ensign, and they often fly the flag upside down, which is a signal used by the United States that the nation is in distress. Its use in this way is seen by many as disrespectful and insulting towards the soldiers who fight or have fought under the flag. The Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL) called it a “dishonour to Australian service men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation”. While few people know why the Australian Red Ensign was adopted by such groups, one theory suggests that it is a reference to the Canadian red ensign, used by the far right in Canada. The protesters have either misinterpreted history or made up stories to justify their use of the flag. The Australian government says that the flag should never be flown upside down in any circumstances. This idea is an American import. Historical red ensigns References Flags of Australia National symbols of Australia Red Ensigns Southern Cross flags Civil ensigns Flags of the British Empire