PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland’s protest scene took a playful turn this week as demonstrators outside the city’s U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility transformed a tense protest site into an impromptu dance floor — complete with animal costumes, disco moves, and a lot of online attention.
A 17-second video circulating on Reddit shows protesters dancing in front of the ICE building in South Portland, with two participants dressed in full animal suits while others groove casually to the beat. The clip quickly went viral, prompting both laughter and commentary about the city’s signature blend of activism and absurdity.
“Dispatch: They’re Doing the Cha Cha Slide!”
Social media users had no shortage of jokes. One Redditor quipped, “Dispatch: THEY’RE DOING THE CHA CHA SLIDE,” perfectly summarizing the comical contrast between the serious federal facility backdrop and the protest’s party-like atmosphere.
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Another commenter chimed in with mock alarm: “That raccoon could be rabid — those goddamned terrorists are engaging in biological warfare!”
Still others took aim at the group’s dance skills rather than their politics. “Frightening. No rhythm in sight,” one user wrote. “If you’re going to protest with choreography, at least stay on beat.”
Despite the jokes, many online viewers also recognized the underlying message: the dancers were using humor and art to challenge ICE’s presence and federal immigration policies through creative, nonviolent expression.
Protest Meets Performance Art
The lighthearted protest follows a string of anti-ICE demonstrations that have taken place in Portland since the summer, many of which have involved tense confrontations with federal officers and police. But this time, participants swapped slogans for songs and pepper spray for pop music.
Observers noted that the costumed dancers — described by some as “Fortnite-style protesters” — embodied a uniquely Portland approach to dissent: turning resistance into performance art.
“It’s silly, it’s unexpected, and it draws attention,” said one local activist who shared the clip. “That’s part of the point — to remind people that activism doesn’t always have to be angry. It can be joyful too.”
The clip struck a chord online, gaining thousands of views across platforms like Reddit, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter). Many commenters compared the protest to a video game pre-battle lobby, with one remarking, “Pregame lobby in Fortnite be like.”
A Shift in Portland’s Protest Culture
While the tone was light, the setting remains heavy with political tension. The ICE facility has been a flashpoint for protests in Portland for years, drawing national attention since the Trump administration’s mass deportation orders.
In contrast to earlier scenes marked by confrontations and arrests, the latest dance protest seemed to diffuse hostility — if only temporarily. Even ICE agents, visible in the background, appeared to watch silently as the costumed crowd swayed and spun.
Online, Portlanders embraced the moment as a snapshot of the city’s irreverent spirit. “Only in Portland would a protest turn into a flash mob,” one commenter wrote. Another joked, “If they add sheet cakes, it’ll turn into a full birthday party.”
Laughter With a Message
Humor has long played a role in Portland’s activism. From bubble machines at climate marches to costumed parades for social causes, the city’s demonstrators often use creativity to make political statements resonate with a broader audience.
This latest dance protest fits that tradition — mocking the portrayal of Portland as “war-torn” while offering a colorful reminder that dissent can take many forms.
Whether viewed as satire, art, or resistance, the “Cha Cha Slide” moment outside ICE reflects a community finding levity amid turbulence — and a city unafraid to turn protest into performance.
Or, as one viral comment summed it up:
“Portland’s still protesting — but now they’re doing it with style.”
