Protest update: we made it out to a No Kings Day protest on Saturday, and it was downright fun. I don’t know if you’ve heard about the iconic Portland frog who backed down a dozen heavily armed ICE officers, boldly, lewdly, a few weeks back.
This frog has inspired dozens or hundreds of copycats. At our protest there was no frog, but there was a blow-up dragon and a blow-up dinosaur (“DINOSAURS AGAINST THE ICE AGE”). Still, this is exactly what a protest movement needs: participatory fun that takes the piss out of the would-be secret police. The kid loved the costumes and was talking about them for hours afterward.
Back in the spring I suggested that we should be “Invoking Mythical Americana to Fight Fascism.” In some ways, these goofy inflatable outfits are even better than what I imagined.
If you’re worried about this regime but haven’t been going to any of the No Kings Day protests, I strongly encourage you try to make the next one. It’s motivating and makes you feel less alone. Plus, as protests go they’re extremely fun and nonviolent. For a recap, I especially loved this report from Sarah Jeong on Saturday’s protests in Portland. Here’s the luminous closing passage:
“ICE is the only fucking terrorism in Portland,” a protester told the feds over a loudspeaker, mocking them for their militarized kit. “Look around. Your enemy is a barista named River.”
While the feds postured from the top of the building, state troopers passed unimpeded through the crowd on bicycles. Local police liaison officers strolled back and forth. Signs and chants still derided the police but no one seemed to be particularly bothered by the actual police. All eyes were on ICE, instead.
“Jump!” the crowd chanted at the feds on the roof. “Jump!”
As the feds turned a blindingly bright spotlight towards them, middle fingers sprouted across the crowd. When I glanced behind me, I could see a sea of upturned faces in the rain, eyes shining in the light.
