Political Street Theatre Brings Attention and Laughter to Rideau Canal
On a crisp Sunday in February 2026, the Rideau Canal became an unexpected stage for political expression as puppet artist Velvet LeClair donned a papier mâché likeness of former U.S. President Donald Trump. Her performance drew significant attention from skaters and passersby, transforming the iconic skating rink into a venue for satirical protest and community engagement.
Performance Along the Canal
LeClair danced along the Rideau Canal from the Lisgar Street entrance to the Corktown Bridge, where a banner reading "ICE is for skating, not kidnapping" hung from the railings. This message targeted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), highlighting concerns over immigration policies. Dozens of signs with slogans like "ICE out" and "lock him up" lined the stone walls, creating a visual backdrop for the performance.
Accompanied by anti-ICE activists, LeClair's portrayal of Trump attracted crowds who stopped for selfies and videos, blending entertainment with political commentary. The event exemplified political street theatre, also known as guerrilla theatre, which uses satire and caricature to address socioeconomic and political issues.
Artist's Motivation and Background
This marked LeClair's second Trump mask, and she has been performing political street theatre weekly in front of the U.S. Embassy for over a year. She explained her motivation, stating, "I’ve been going to the U.S. Embassy to protest every week. I have family that lives down there. They’re our closest trading allies, partners. It’s just devastating to see what’s happening. It’s deteriorating quite fast."
LeClair emphasized the empowering nature of her work, adding, "It’s very empowering to make people laugh. I think most of us, collectively, hate Trump worldwide. This just brings us together. Everyone’s smiling and doing their little part of being part of the resistance by supporting it."
Goals and Future Plans
Looking ahead, LeClair aims to expand the reach of political theatre. She is scheduled to perform at the Ottawa Fringe Festival this summer, presenting an hour-long political puppet show covering all three levels of government. However, her primary focus remains on public spaces, especially in light of recent events such as the U.S. Department of Justice's release of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein in January 2026.
LeClair expressed hope for continuity, saying, "I hope that we’re going to keep doing this, because it brings a lot of people joy. We’re making videos and trying to get them on social media to show support to the American people." She concluded with strong sentiments, stating, "F–k ICE, f–k Trump. It’s disgusting. These people deserve justice."
Organizer's Perspective
Antonia Bos, one of the organizers of Sunday's protest, was pleased with the public interaction. She noted, "We’re still hoping for people to come and basically interact with Trump. People can basically voice concerns, their beliefs, and just talk to Trump about that." Bos highlighted the unpredictable nature of such events, remarking, "It’s political street theatre. You never know what you’re going to get."
The main purpose of the protest, according to Bos, was to uplift Americans frustrated and fearful of the Trump administration, using humour and performance as tools for solidarity and awareness.
