of distress.
But again, there is no guarantee that every person using it intends exactly the same thing.
The difference between protest and emergency
It’s also important not to assume that every upside-down flag represents an actual emergency.
Historically, the position could be associated with distress.
Today, however, people sometimes use the symbol figuratively.
A driver may be protesting government policies, expressing frustration about social conditions, or making a broader political statement.
So seeing an upside-down flag on a vehicle shouldn’t automatically lead someone to believe the driver is requesting
