Protests have been ongoing since Trump moved into the Oval Office, and no two have looked the same. While some wear politically themed costumes, others wave clever yet bold rally signs. In Portland, Oregon, which is already known for its slightly quirky vibe, protestors found a different way to send a message. Clad in neon, 80s-themed attire, they gathered outside an ICE facility to hold a jazzercise class.
As far as peaceful protests go, this one tops the charts. Rainbow flags and signs reading, “Stop ICE cruelty,” stood out in the crowd as they moved to 80s power music. Onlookers joined in, jumping and waving their arms in time with the jazzercise instructor’s lead. As nostalgia took over one entire street corner, Billy Joel’s “We Didn’t Start the Fire” blared in the background. The message was clear, and now, people are applauding the athletic sit-in.
“This is amazing. The Richard Simmons Protest Your Pants Off Party!” One user on Reddit said. Another out-of-stater said, “I am not from Oregon, and I have never been to Oregon…in fact, the only things I’ve learned about your great state is from the show Portlandia…but I wish I could give every one of you a huge hug! Stay strong (and fit)! Sending love from Texas.”
Others celebrated the creativity of the protest, commenting on its ingenuity and positivity. “I love all the creativity Portland brings to our protests! Keeping the Portland weird again!” One user said. To this, another replied, “It’s more than just creativity. It’s the best thing to do if you are doing a peaceful protest. Appear as harmless as possible. Makes it harder for your protest to be misrepresented as a riot that deserved to be brought under control. In the 60s, you’d wear your ‘Sunday Best.'”
However, the best comment spoke to the nature of Portland and its residents. “Live view of Portland warriors waging war,” one user commented. Another, jumping on the theme, said, “My God, war-ravaged Stumptown is really getting bad!” As far as original protests go, Portland is definitely leading the charge.
