The Revolutionary Army, known to oppose the World Government, could no longer just sit and silently grow in power. They could see the unnecessary sufferings of the poor that could have been prevented. It was clear, to them, that the government is taking advantage of the pandemic crisis.
The way the government handled the pandemic seemed rushed and not thoroughly planned like when they enforced travel permits. The marines do not have enough manpower to protect each nation. Naturally, they would prioritize their affiliates. Some have to undergo negotiations if faced by corrupt marines. Those who failed to negotiate were not given any support. This resulted in some poor nations to experience abuses from desperate pirates.
Same corrupt scheme happened to traders. Small ones had closed because of this.
There are also numerous incidences of manipulation from the government. One is solely blaming the spread to pirates. This was proven wrong when a trader carried the virus to different islands. This was reported in local newspapers except the World Economy, fearing that markets and shopping districts are places far more dangerous than chances of encountering pirates.
Sabaody is not covid-free as the government says. They did not include places where most of the pirates and tourists stay. There are rumors, scattered around the archipelago, that Sabaody made a deal with the government to supply good quality slaves to nobles. This was made to promote and invite more tourists to keep their economy alive.
Water 7 is still under lockdown for months now and the promised food aids from the government were delayed. People were hungry and were doing rallies to lift the lockdown. Heated violence occurred when the marines started arresting ralliers to disperse the group.
Iceburg, Water 7's mayor, did his best to calm his people and begged the government to let at least his staff go fishing. Government denied their request at first with the reason that the ship containing the aid was near but it never came. The government apologized and promised to punish those pirates who raided the ship.
Iceburg's problems did not stop there. The continuous increase of cases has led their local hospitals to be less compassionate. Due to the demand-and-supply of medical resources, the hospital fees quadrupled. Iceburg tried to fund their hospitals with his savings and his friends' but, it was not enough to stop hospitals from accepting only those who are capable of paying.
Iceberg continued to ask donations from nearest nations but no one dared travel the seas with pirates lurking. Nevertheless, a rumor circulated that Iceburg received big donations and had pocketed them. People are questioning where he spent the donations and demanded for a complete report but he chose to be silent as there are no reports to provide.
People in Water 7 became even more divided when Iceburg put the deal from Marines on hold. The deal was to accept shipwright works only from Marines, and travel permitted traders even after the pandemic in exchange for more marine forces to help. Iceberg knew the deal was a political move against pirates but hearing traders' predicaments on permits, made him think that it would cost a lot more for their livelihood.
With the stress Iceburg is currently facing, it was no surprise that his body gave in to Covid.
The three great powers were the marines, the four emperors and the shichibukai. After the Reverie, the shichibukai system is dissolved and the SSG is still not introduced to replace it. Overthrowing the government and the marines could tip off the peace in favor of the emperors. This is the reason why the revolutionaries have not been openly hostile with the government.
However, letting the government be could leave greater damage. For now, their big step is to expose the government's action to all nations and lit the fire.