![Miranda Thomas, 8, and her mother Claire, of Annandale, used a duck to emphasize their message and added, “ We want everyone to follow the rules [the Constitution], and protect our neighbors.”](https://connection.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2026/04/01/SL-0401-2026-02_t670.jpeg?b3f6a5d7692ccc373d56e40cf708e3fa67d9af9d)
Miranda Thomas, 8, and her mother Claire, of Annandale, used a duck to emphasize their message and added, “ We want everyone to follow the rules [the Constitution], and protect our neighbors.”
Standing out among the protest signs and waving flags, some rally participants loomed large among their fellow protestors, literally. Using spectacle with a dose of humor, they found a different way to draw attention to their complaints against the federal administration through costume dress; much of it larger than life.
Since costumes first appeared worn by the Portland Frog Brigade in protests outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Oregon, use of “tactical frivolity” has become a staple of No Kings protest rallies. Experts say that costumes not only attract notice and people to the protest message, but also signal this is not a place for violence. Whimsy and humor, with a large dose of silly, do much to defuse tension, whether it is caused by facing armed and masked enforcement agents, or just thinking about the many reasons one has to come out to participate in resistance demonstrations.
No Kings events in Northern Virginia drew a selection of super heroes, ducks, unicorns, and the odd T-Rex and Flamingo. There were a few knitted frog hats for added measure.
Unicorns added to the magic in Kingstowne, drawing crowd applause.