PORTLAND, Ore. — The protests outside Portland’s U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility have drawn international headlines — not only for the clashes between demonstrators and federal agents but also for the colorful, whimsical twist the movement has taken. Over recent weeks, protesters dressed as frogs, zebras, unicorns, chickens, and clowns have transformed a site of tension into a surreal stage of satire and defiance.
The Birth of the “Frog Brigade”
The wave of inflatable costumes began earlier this month when protester Seth Todd was pepper-sprayed while wearing a frog suit on October 2. The moment quickly went viral, and the image of the “Portland Freedom Frog” became a rallying symbol.
For many demonstrators, it captured something essential about the city’s protest culture — the blend of creativity, humor, and political defiance that has long characterized Portland activism.
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Among those inspired was Jordy, a local livestreamer who asked to use only his first name for safety reasons. After watching the viral frog video, Jordy wanted to amplify the message with a full “inflatable menagerie.”
“What the ICE protests needed wasn’t just more frogs — it needed squirrels, sharks, raccoons, and anything that bounces,” Jordy said. “When you have people in inflatables bouncing around, it’s hard for anyone to call it a war zone or a riot.”
Operation Inflation: Protest by Absurdity
To bring the idea to life, Jordy launched a website — OperationInflation.com — inviting supporters to donate $35 to ‘provide an inflatable costume for a True American.’
He initially hoped to fund a few dozen suits, but the campaign “blew up,” as Jordy jokingly put it. Within a week, about 100 inflatable costumes had been ordered, with new shipments arriving nightly.
On Monday evening, a clothing rack lined with free inflatable suits — from cows to dinosaurs — appeared on the sidewalk outside the ICE building. Volunteers handed them out to anyone who wanted to join the protest, encouraging participants to “pick their spirit animal.”
“This whole thing changed the dynamic instantly,” Jordy said. “It de-escalates tension with ICE officers, counterprotesters, and even among ourselves. And, ironically, pepper balls just bounce right off.”
Dadaism Meets Democracy
The protest’s lighthearted approach borrows inspiration from the Dadaist movement — the absurdist, anti-establishment art form born in the chaos of World War I. For Jordy and his supporters, the costumes serve as a form of political art — a living parody of President Donald Trump’s claim that Portland is “war-ravaged” and overrun by anarchists.
“Every person in an inflatable costume makes it harder for the Trump administration to call this a rebellion,” Jordy said. “It’s satire as defense.”
Volunteer Molly, who helps distribute the suits, echoed that sentiment. “It just shows how ludicrous this is,” she said. “These are not violent protesters. These are American protesters.”
Though Operation Inflation is not a registered nonprofit, many have contributed costumes directly rather than donating money. Molly said people also donate small items like fan batteries to keep the suits inflated through long protest nights.
A Peaceful Counter-Narrative
Federal agents have arrested about 30 people at the Portland ICE facility since June, with roughly half accused of assaulting or attempting to assault federal officers. But according to city officials, the vast majority of protests remain nonviolent, with demonstrators engaging primarily in chants, satire, and street performances.
For Jordy and others, that creative energy is part of Portland’s identity. “You don’t need to be part of a huge organization to have political influence,” he said. “One extra person in an inflatable makes a huge difference.”
Expanding the Movement
The success of the inflatable protests has inspired organizers to think bigger. Operation Inflation now plans to distribute costumes during the upcoming “No Kings” protest march on Saturday and is preparing for a large turnout on Halloween.
Beyond Oregon, Jordy says he’s already in touch with activists in Seattle, Denver, and Chicago interested in replicating the approach. The goal, he explained, is to form an “Inflation Response Network” — a coalition using humor and spectacle to de-escalate tension at protests nationwide.
A Movement That Floats Above the Fear
What began as one frog suit and a moment of defiance has ballooned into a national symbol of peaceful resistance. For many, it captures Portland’s enduring spirit — playful yet purposeful, mocking yet meaningful.
“People come because they want to stand up for what’s right,” Jordy said. “But they also come because it’s fun. It reminds everyone — protesters, officers, and the world watching — that joy and creativity are still forms of power.”
As the inflatable frogs, dinosaurs, and unicorns continue to dance outside the ICE facility, Portland’s protest scene proves once again that resistance doesn’t always have to look like rage — sometimes, it looks like laughter wrapped in vinyl.
