Operation inflation: Odd Protest Tactics Fascinating Portland.

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Operation Inflation: Odd Protest Tactics That Are Fascinating Portland

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In Portland, Oregon, possibly the oddest protest tactic is currently causing a stir in the local community. 

Dedicated day in and day out at the downtown U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building, organizers of the protest Jordy and Lacy, give free inflatable costumes, everything from dragons to video game characters, to anyone protesting. 

“We bring costumes to the community regularly, so show up in person and grab a costume,” says the official website of operation inflation. “No reservations, no requests. We simply are supporting a community, so if you’re out in that community, you may see us there!”

January 17 2026
6:50 pm
Portland, Oregon US immigration and customs enforcement. 

Providing the costumes is a new tactic for the demonstrators, who have been stationed outside Portland’s ICE offices for months. Is it effective? How does it impact the demonstrations? What is the impact on the long-term movement? 

“Operation Inflation started in October 2025 when a few friends in Portland realized that the guy in the inflatable frog suit was onto something important,” says on a message from their history on their website. 

Willamette Week named “Portland Frog” Seth Todd its “Portlander of the Year” after federal officers outside the Portland ICE facility directly aimed pepper spray into his costume air vent. Other protesters caught this on video and Todd has been a symbol of the movement ever since. “I've had spicier tamales,” he told Willamette Week. 

November 6th 2025 
7:28 pm 
Portland, Oregon 
US immigration and customs enforcement.
“ I see it as a propaganda disruption campaign
Just because they're so cute. But the the thing is, is that? For us? The question of violence or non-violence is a dichotomy that has been created by the fascist propaganda for the purpose of fascist propaganda that puts the onus on protesters and the people for their response to oppression.” Jordy and Lacey said in an interview when asked if they identify with pacifism. 

They say on their official Instagram page (@operationinflation)they stated “do not denounce violence” but that they are “disruptors of propaganda” the movement is not to denounce violent or serious protesters and are not complete pacifists. But rather being a disruptive force to confuse the media that paints them as violent. 
“it doesn't matter because it's so absurd, no matter what direction you take it, that it cuts off the narrativizing that the fascist need, you know?”

They don't just offer inflatable suits either. People donate and contribute to the protest such as water, masks, food, hot hands and more. Sometimes they and others bring or donate art supplies. Many individual protesters showed that they bring medical supplies and offer aid to protesters and even the opposing sides, like MAGA or ICE from time to time if they allow them too. 


Citations 
https://www.operationinflation.com/

https://www.wweek.com/news/2025/12/24/portlander-of-the-year-the-frog/

https://recorder.google.com/3c971909-a4ff-4c40-b87a-4a786d9b6b7a 



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