PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — In a display of whimsical defiance, Seth Todd was dressed in an inflatable frog costume when a federal officer sprayed chemical irritants into the costume’s vent during a protest outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) building in Portland, Oregon, on October 2. This event garnered significant attention and took place amidst a backdrop of protests featuring quirky inflatable costumes such as hippos in tutus and dinosaurs that have emerged as symbols during the demonstrations against President Trump’s administration. Todd expressed pride in inspiring such a playful approach to activism, aimed at countering the aggressive portrayal of demonstrators as violent.

The augmented atmosphere of light-heartedness is a response to Trump’s depictions of Portland as chaotic. “It’s helping to … combat that specific narrative that we are violent and we are agitating,” Todd stated. Following a summer spike in protests, the use of inflatable costumes has injected a sense of joy into the activism while simultaneously targeting serious issues such as immigration policies. With Portland being an epicenter of such demonstrations, Todd and other activists see the costumes as a way to make a statement both visually and conceptually against actions by federal officers, which had previously culminated in confrontations on the streets.

Recent initiatives show the growing trend. Groups like the Portland Frog Brigade and Operation Inflation distribute inflatable costumes to protesters, fostering a fun atmosphere that aims to dissuade intimidation. According to organizer Brooks Brown, the group's goal is to expand their efforts to other cities, sustaining a feeling of community and resistance while keeping the sentiment of protest colorful and engaging.

This lighthearted tactic, emblematic of Portland's quirky protest culture, reflects an evolution of direct action where humor is employed to diffuse tension, encouraging more participants to engage peacefully while advocating for their beliefs.