Satirical Musician Arrested During Protest
PORTLAND, Ore. — Musical comedian Robby Roadsteamer, also known as Rob Potylo, says he was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers during a protest outside the agency’s South Portland facility on Wednesday — while wearing a giraffe costume.
Potylo, a Boston-based performer known for his sharp political satire and viral songs criticizing the Trump administration, had traveled to Portland to take part in the ongoing demonstrations against federal immigration enforcement.
In a video that quickly went viral, Potylo can be seen performing near a “Do Not Cross” barrier, singing a parody of Rod Stewart’s “Do You Think I’m Sexy?” with altered lyrics:
Also Read
“If you hate brown people / and you are a Nazi / come on ICE, leave Portland.”
Moments later, a group of ICE officers in military fatigues approach him, grab his costume, and pull him across the line into the facility.
Arrest Sparks Outcry and Fundraising
According to a GoFundMe campaign created to cover Potylo’s legal costs, he has been charged with trespassing, though supporters argue that officers dragged him onto federal property before detaining him.
“Robby is being brought up on trespassing charges and asked to appear in court in Portland even though ICE dragged him onto their property,” the fundraiser states.
As of Friday, the GoFundMe had raised over $112,000 toward its $140,000 goal, with donors across the country rallying behind the comedian. Many supporters called the arrest an overreach, describing Potylo’s act as peaceful protest and performance art.
Federal Response
Officials with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) defended the arrest, calling the viral video “deceptively clipped” and accusing Potylo of deliberately provoking law enforcement.
“This deceptively clipped video features this attention-starved influencer who flew all the way from Massachusetts to trespass on federal property,” a DHS spokesperson said in a statement to TMZ.
“Officers continued to warn him to back up. Following his repeated refusal to listen to law enforcement, he was placed under arrest,” the statement added.
Local police later confirmed that the officers involved were federal agents, not members of the Portland Police Bureau.
Plans for Legal Action
Potylo, who has previously gained attention for heckling Steve Bannon outside a courthouse in 2024, maintains that his arrest was unlawful. He says he plans to sue the Trump administration for violating his First Amendment rights.
“This wasn’t about trespassing,” Potylo wrote in a post to his followers. “This was about silencing a goofy guy in a giraffe suit for singing a song.”
Broader Context
The incident comes amid weeks of heightened tension outside Portland’s ICE facility, where protesters, artists, and activists have staged creative demonstrations — from knitting circles to costumed performances — to draw attention to what they call inhumane immigration practices.
For Potylo, the episode has turned into both a legal battle and a viral rallying cry. “I’m not backing down,” he said. “They can arrest the giraffe, but they can’t arrest the music.”
