PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — In a light-hearted twist to serious protests, Seth Todd wore an inflatable frog costume during a demonstration outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Building. This playful defiance came after federal officers directed chemical spray into his costume’s air vent, a response caught on camera and shared widely on social media.
Inflatable costumes have surged as symbols of protests against President Donald Trump’s administration, highlighted during last weekend's nationwide “No Kings” marches. Todd, 24, expressed his surprise and pride at being a catalyst for what he sees as a lighthearted and non-violent form of protest.
“We’re trying to combat the narrative of being violent,” said Todd, emphasizing how humor can change perceptions.
Fighting Absurdity with Absurdity
These costumes serve as a counter-narrative to Trump’s depiction of Portland as a chaotic environment. The local ICE building has seen nightly protests, which intensified in June, leading to heightened tensions with law enforcement.
“It helps to keep Portland weird,” said Marc Rodriguez, a Portland State University history professor, noting the city's rich history of protest culture.
Protesters have begun wearing costumes en masse as a form of expression, especially in cities like Austin and Chicago, where other local events have seen inflatable costumes generating smiles and communal joy.
Operation Inflation
Emerging movements, such as the Portland Frog Brigade and Operation Inflation, are providing free inflatable costumes to protesters, promoting the idea that joy and community resilience can be part of resistance against federal authority.
Co-founders Brooks Brown and Jordy Lybeck said they aim to expand this initiative to more U.S. cities, emphasizing that these costumes create a non-threatening presence at protests.
“It’s all about having fun and showing we're not terrified,” said protester Briana Nathanielsz, who donned a Frankenstein costume. “We’re going to keep pushing back while keeping it light-heartened.”
