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Seth Todd wore an inflatable frog costume while protesting outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building portland, oregonWhen a federal officer fired a stream of chemical spray directly into the suit’s air vent.
Video of the Oct. 2 incident has spread, and the puffy costumes — hippos in tutus, Mr. Potato Heads, dinosaurs — have increasingly become a fixture of protests against President Donald Trump’s administration, including the massive “No Kings” marches across the U.S. last weekend.
Todd, 24, said that although the attention has been overwhelming, he still feels “honored to inspire such a movement.”
“This is helping to counter the typical narrative that we are violent and we are agitating,” he said.
Trump’s fight, in costume
For protesters like Todd, the costumes are a way to fight the absurd with the absurd: a playful response to Trump’s portrayal of Portland as “ravaged by war,” “burning” and “like living in hell.”
Trump administration efforts to deploy National Guard It is still barred there by the courts for the stated purpose of protecting federal property.
Portland’s ICE building outside downtown has been the site of nightly protests, culminating in June when police declared a demonstration a riot. There have also been smaller clashes since then, and federal officers have fired tear gas to disperse crowds, which sometimes also included counter-protesters and live-streamers.
In the weeks before Trump called out the Guard, nightly protesters, often numbering only a couple of dozen, have used bullhorns to shout obscenities. They have also sought to stop vehicles from entering and leaving the facility. Federal officials argue that he obstructed law enforcement operations.
‘Keep Portland Weird’
The inflatable costumes are a testament to the city’s weird protest culture — which recently included a naked bike ride — and its unofficial motto is, “Keep Portland Weird.”
“Portland has always prided itself on this spirit of protest,” said Mark Rodriguez, a history professor at Portland State University and an expert on social justice movements.
He said the costumes are also popular on social media, making the protesters appear non-violent.
Frogs and more trend beyond portland
Some groups have begun distributing costumes to encourage more protesters to wear them. In AustinTexas, college student Natalie McCabe received a free inflatable bald eagle costume. At a recent No Kings rally, she hung out with a unicorn and a frog.
“Seeing people happy and having a good time and doing something different to distract yourself, that’s what it should be,” he said.
At the No Kings march in Chicago, Kristen Vandawalker dressed as an inflatable “pegacorn” – part PegasusPart unicorn — and posed for a photo with the city’s Trump Tower in the background, looking like bubbles were floating from a bubble machine.
“I think everyone got the memo after Portland that this is something we can do, and it’s something that the right wing doesn’t know what to do,” said Vandawalker, political action director of Indivisible Chicago Northwest. “Sure, as if ICE agents don’t know how to treat people in costumes. It’s hard to look dangerous when there’s a fan blowing you.”
The Department of Homeland Security and ICE did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment on the inflatable costumes at the protests.
operation inflation
In recent weeks, Portland residents have launched groups such as the Portland Frog Brigade, whose members wear inflatable frog costumes, and Operation Inflation, which hands out free inflatable costumes to protesters.
On Tuesday, Operation Inflation co-founders Brooks Brown and Jordy Liebeck dropped off about 10 costumes outside Portland’s ICE building — among them a mushroom, Frankenstein and panda. They placed some on dress racks and helped protesters wear them.
Brown said the group has seen an increase in donations and plans to expand to other US cities.
“It feels really light-hearted and feels like we’re showing these people that we’re not afraid of them,” said protester Brianna Nathaniels, who chose one of the Frankenstein costumes. “We’re going to keep having fun and keep Portland weird and safe.” ,
Mattis reported from Nashville, Tennessee.